Purple-throated Carib vs Swallow-tailed Hummingbird
Eulampis jugularis compared with Eupetomena macroura
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-throated Carib | Swallow-tailed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eulampis jugularis | Eupetomena macroura |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) | 13.9 cm (5.5 in) |
| Weight | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) | 7.94 g (0.28 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … | Large, conspicuous nectarivore of Brazilian cerrado and gardens. Feeds at Erythrina and diverse blossoms; supplements … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Purple-throated Carib only
None
Swallow-tailed Hummingbird only
Song & Call Comparison
Purple-throated Carib
Thin, sibilant twittering with airy quality; light high notes cascading softly in relaxed sequence near flowers.
Swallow-tailed Hummingbird
High, crystalline twittering with silvery sheen; rapid light notes cascading brightly in animated display.
Geographic Range & Migration
Purple-throated Carib
Found throughout the Lesser Antilles from Saba to Grenada. Prefers mature forest and flowering trees. Sea level to 800 m.
Swallow-tailed Hummingbird
Found in open habitats across eastern South America from the Guianas to Argentina. Resident in cerrado and gardens.
Conservation Status
Purple-throated Carib
Swallow-tailed Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Purple-throated Carib
Turquoise-throated Puffleg: iridescent violet crown; glittering turquoise gorget; metallic green back; white leg puffs; females duller
Swallow-tailed Hummingbird
Banded Ground-cuckoo: rufous-buff below with dark barring; dark olive above; blue facial skin; long tail; banded pattern below
About These Birds
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.
Swallow-tailed Hummingbird
A large hummingbird (15-17 cm) found in open habitats across eastern South America from the Guianas to Argentina. Iridescent blue-green plumage with a deeply forked, swallow-like tail. Nectarivore of gardens, cerrado, and forest edges. Often seen perching conspicuously on exposed branches.