Purple-throated Carib vs Velvet-browed Brilliant
Eulampis jugularis compared with Heliodoxa xanthogonys
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-throated Carib | Velvet-browed Brilliant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eulampis jugularis | Heliodoxa xanthogonys |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) | 12.6 cm (5.0 in) |
| Weight | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) | 6.833333333333333 g (0.24 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … | Nectarivore visiting Ericaceae, Fuchsia, and other montane flowers in Andean cloud forest. Takes small insects … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Purple-throated Carib
Thin, sibilant twittering with airy quality; light high notes cascading softly in relaxed sequence near flowers.
Velvet-browed Brilliant
High, shrill screaming call with carrying quality; piercing notes audible at distance across open Andean hillsides.
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.
Velvet-browed Brilliant
Endemic to the tepuis of Venezuela and adjacent Guyana and Brazil in high-altitude forest. 1,200–2,600 m.
Conservation Status
Purple-throated Carib
Velvet-browed Brilliant
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
Velvet-browed Brilliant
Blue-fronted Lancebill: males with iridescent blue forehead; magenta gorget; metallic green; females green above; spotted buff 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.
Velvet-browed Brilliant
A medium-sized hummingbird (12-13 cm) found in tepui highlands of southern Venezuela and adjacent Guyana. Green plumage with a velvety dark forehead. Nectarivore of tepui forest edges. A Pantepui endemic of very restricted range. Poorly studied.