Purple-throated Carib vs Stripe-breasted Starthroat
Eulampis jugularis compared with Heliomaster squamosus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-throated Carib | Stripe-breasted Starthroat |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eulampis jugularis | Heliomaster squamosus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) | 11.2 cm (4.4 in) |
| Weight | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) | 5.75 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … | Nectarivore of Brazilian savanna and forest edges; visits Mimosa and other open-country flowers. Supplements with … |
| 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.
Stripe-breasted Starthroat
Sharp, whistled descending phrase; clean notes stepping down smoothly with melodic precision in humid forest.
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.
Stripe-breasted Starthroat
Found in semi-arid scrub and caatinga of eastern Brazil from Pará south to Minas Gerais. Sea level to 800 m.
Conservation Status
Purple-throated Carib
Stripe-breasted Starthroat
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
Stripe-breasted Starthroat
Mexican Sheartail (alt): males with iridescent magenta gorget; metallic green above; white belly; deeply forked tail; females plain
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.
Stripe-breasted Starthroat
A medium-sized hummingbird (12-13 cm) found in cerrado and dry forests of eastern and central Brazil. Green plumage with a striped breast and glittering purple throat. Nectarivore of open woodland and garden flowers. A Brazilian near-endemic.