Black-bellied Thorntail vs Purple-throated Carib
Discosura langsdorffi compared with Eulampis jugularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-bellied Thorntail | Purple-throated Carib |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Discosura langsdorffi | Eulampis jugularis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 7.0 cm (2.8 in) | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) |
| Weight | 3.2 g (0.11 oz) | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore visiting diverse canopy flowers in humid Amazonian forest. Takes small arthropods in aerial hover-gleaning. | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Black-bellied Thorntail
Deep, hollow churring with resonant character; prolonged low buzzing sound vibrating persistently through dense foliage.
Purple-throated Carib
Thin, sibilant twittering with airy quality; light high notes cascading softly in relaxed sequence near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Black-bellied Thorntail
Found in lowland Amazonian forest from southeastern Colombia south through Ecuador and Peru to Bolivia. 100–600 m.
Purple-throated Carib
Found throughout the Lesser Antilles from Saba to Grenada. Prefers mature forest and flowering trees. Sea level to 800 m.
Conservation Status
Black-bellied Thorntail
Purple-throated Carib
How to Tell Them Apart
Black-bellied Thorntail
Red-tailed Comet: males with glittering green gorget; brilliant coppery-bronze crown; metallic green back; reddish tail; females duller
Purple-throated Carib
Turquoise-throated Puffleg: iridescent violet crown; glittering turquoise gorget; metallic green back; white leg puffs; females duller
About These Birds
Black-bellied Thorntail
A tiny hummingbird (7-8 cm plus extended tail feathers) found in lowland forests from eastern Colombia through Amazonia to Bolivia and Brazil. Males have dark belly and long, wire-like outer tail feathers with racket tips. Nectarivore of forest canopy and edges.
Purple-throated Carib
A medium-sized hummingbird (11-12 cm) endemic to the Lesser Antilles from Saba to St. Vincent. Males have iridescent purple throat and green body. Nectarivore of montane forest and gardens. Larger and more aggressive than Green-throated Carib, dominating flower territories.