Black-breasted Puffleg vs Purple-throated Carib
Eriocnemis nigrivestis compared with Eulampis jugularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-breasted Puffleg | Purple-throated Carib |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eriocnemis nigrivestis | Eulampis jugularis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Endangered | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.4 cm (4.5 in) | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) |
| Weight | 4.449999999999999 g (0.16 oz) | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Andean montane Ericaceae and epiphyte flowers; fluffy leg puffs visible during hover. Gleans … | 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-breasted Puffleg
Soft, sustained hum barely audible; extremely faint low-frequency sound audible only at very close range.
Purple-throated Carib
Thin, sibilant twittering with airy quality; light high notes cascading softly in relaxed sequence near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Black-breasted Puffleg
Endemic to the western Andes of Ecuador, primarily the Pichincha and Imbabura regions. 2,800–3,600 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
Black-breasted Puffleg
Purple-throated Carib
How to Tell Them Apart
Black-breasted Puffleg
Violet-fronted Brilliant: males with glittering violet forehead; metallic green above; white belly; 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
Black-breasted Puffleg
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) endemic to the northwestern Andes of Ecuador at 2,500-3,200 m. Males have a black breast and white leg puffs. Nectarivore of cloud forest and forest edges. Critically Endangered with fewer than 250 individuals estimated remaining.
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.