Purple-throated Carib vs Rufous-crested Coquette
Eulampis jugularis compared with Lophornis delattrei
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-throated Carib | Rufous-crested Coquette |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eulampis jugularis | Lophornis delattrei |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) | 7.7 cm (3.0 in) |
| Weight | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) | 2.8 g (0.10 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … | Nectarivore of lowland forest gaps; insect-like flight style enables foraging at dense flower clusters. Takes … |
| 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.
Rufous-crested Coquette
Soft, liquid cascade of notes; gentle flowing sequence with subtle melodic variation, pleasing and unhurried in pace.
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.
Rufous-crested Coquette
Found from Panama south through Colombia to Peru on both Andean slopes in foothill forest. 0–1,400 m.
Conservation Status
Purple-throated Carib
Rufous-crested Coquette
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
Rufous-crested Coquette
Gorgeted Woodstar: males with iridescent scarlet-red gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; tiny size; females spotted throat
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.
Rufous-crested Coquette
A tiny hummingbird (7-8 cm) found from southern Mexico through Central America to Bolivia and Peru. Males have a rufous crest and wispy cheek plumes. Green plumage. Nectarivore of forest edges, gardens, and clearings. One of the most widespread coquettes.