Purple-throated Carib vs Violet-crowned Hummingbird
Eulampis jugularis compared with Leucolia violiceps
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-throated Carib | Violet-crowned Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eulampis jugularis | Leucolia violiceps |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) | — |
| Weight | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) | 5.433333333333333 g (0.19 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … | Feeds on floral nectar in forest understory, hovering at Heliconia and bromeliads. Supplements with spiders … |
| 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.
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
Thin, reedy chip with soft quality; barely audible staccato note given from dense vegetative cover. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
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.
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
Found in arid to semi-humid habitats from the southwestern United States to central Mexico. Partial migrant.
Conservation Status
Purple-throated Carib
Violet-crowned 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
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
Biak Coucal: dark brown above with glossy sheen; rufous wings; pale buff below; long dark tail; red eye; island endemic
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.
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
A medium-sized hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in arid to semi-humid habitats from the southwestern US to central Mexico. Males have a white breast and violet-blue crown. Nectarivore of oak woodland, desert oases, and gardens. Visits feeders in the southwestern US.