Talamanca Hummingbird vs Purple-throated Carib
Eugenes spectabilis compared with Eulampis jugularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Talamanca Hummingbird | Purple-throated Carib |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eugenes spectabilis | Eulampis jugularis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) |
| Weight | 9.025 g (0.32 oz) | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Costa Rican and Panamanian cloud forest; forages at diverse highland flowers. Takes small … | 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
Talamanca Hummingbird
Melodic, ascending whistle with bright character; pure tones rising smoothly in cheerful morning territorial song.
Purple-throated Carib
Thin, sibilant twittering with airy quality; light high notes cascading softly in relaxed sequence near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Talamanca Hummingbird
Found in cloud forest and highland scrub in the Talamanca mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama. 1,500–3,200 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
Talamanca Hummingbird
Purple-throated Carib
How to Tell Them Apart
Talamanca Hummingbird
Little Woodstar (alt): males with glittering ruby-red gorget; metallic green above; white postocular stripe; females green; spotted
Purple-throated Carib
Turquoise-throated Puffleg: iridescent violet crown; glittering turquoise gorget; metallic green back; white leg puffs; females duller
About These Birds
Talamanca Hummingbird
A large hummingbird (13 cm) found in cloud forests of Costa Rica and western Panama at 1,500-3,000 m. Males have a blue-green throat. Recently split from Magnificent Hummingbird. Nectarivore of montane forest edges and gardens. A Central American highland endemic.
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.