Gorgeted Puffleg vs Purple-throated Carib
Eriocnemis isabellae compared with Eulampis jugularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Gorgeted Puffleg | Purple-throated Carib |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eriocnemis isabellae | Eulampis jugularis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Critically Endangered | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.4 cm (4.5 in) | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) |
| Weight | 4.3 g (0.15 oz) | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of narrow-range Ecuadorian cloud forest; critically endangered. Forages at Ericaceae blooms; takes small insects. | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Gorgeted Puffleg
Bright, musical trill with bubbly quality; rapid rolling notes cascading cheerfully in active territorial display at dawn.
Purple-throated Carib
Thin, sibilant twittering with airy quality; light high notes cascading softly in relaxed sequence near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Gorgeted Puffleg
Endemic to the Pacific slope of the western Andes of Colombia at 2,000–3,000 m. Critically endangered.
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
Gorgeted Puffleg
Purple-throated Carib
How to Tell Them Apart
Gorgeted Puffleg
Black-throated Brilliant: males with glittering violet gorget; metallic green above; black throat; females green above; spotted below
Purple-throated Carib
Turquoise-throated Puffleg: iridescent violet crown; glittering turquoise gorget; metallic green back; white leg puffs; females duller
About These Birds
Gorgeted Puffleg
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) endemic to a tiny area on the western slope of the Colombian Andes at 2,600-2,900 m. Males have an iridescent gorget and white leg puffs. Described in 2007. Critically Endangered due to extremely restricted range. Nectarivore of cloud forest.
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.