Purple-throated Carib vs Green-breasted Mountain-gem
Eulampis jugularis compared with Lampornis sybillae
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-throated Carib | Green-breasted Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eulampis jugularis | Lampornis sybillae |
| 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) | 5.975 g (0.21 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … | Nectarivore of Nicaraguan montane forest; visits Ericaceae and Heliconia blooms. Supplements with small arthropods. |
| Clutch Size | 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.
Green-breasted Mountain-gem
Soft, high squeak followed by buzzy trill; brief introductory note launching into rough cascade of chips.
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.
Green-breasted Mountain-gem
Found in cloud forest of Nicaragua and Honduras in highland forest. 1,000–2,400 m elevation.
Conservation Status
Purple-throated Carib
Green-breasted Mountain-gem
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
Green-breasted Mountain-gem
Selasphorus Hummingbird: males with iridescent purple gorget; metallic bronze-green above; white underparts; females green above; spots
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.
Green-breasted Mountain-gem
A medium-sized hummingbird (10-11 cm) endemic to the highlands of Honduras and Nicaragua at 1,500-2,400 m. Males have a green breast. Nectarivore of cloud forest. A rare Central American endemic restricted to the nuclear highlands. Classified as Vulnerable.