Purple-throated Carib vs Purple-crowned Fairy
Eulampis jugularis compared with Heliothryx barroti
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-throated Carib | Purple-crowned Fairy |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eulampis jugularis | Heliothryx barroti |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) | 12.8 cm (5.0 in) |
| Weight | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) | 5.48 g (0.19 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … | Nectarivore specializing in high canopy flowers and bromeliads. Pierces flower bases to rob nectar; supplements … |
| 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.
Purple-crowned Fairy
Buzzy, insect-like trill sustained monotonously; continuous high-frequency vibration with little dynamic range throughout.
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.
Purple-crowned Fairy
Found in lowland humid forest from southern Mexico through Central America to western Ecuador and western Colombia. 0–800 m.
Conservation Status
Purple-throated Carib
Purple-crowned Fairy
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
Purple-crowned Fairy
White-tailed Goldenthroat: males with glittering golden-green gorget; metallic green above; white-tipped tail; females green with spotted 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.
Purple-crowned Fairy
A slender, elegant hummingbird (11-13 cm) with a long, deeply forked tail. Green upperparts, purple crown, and immaculate white underparts. Found in humid forests from southern Mexico to western Ecuador. Nectarivore of forest canopy. Named fairy for its delicate, floating flight.