Purple-throated Carib vs Violet-throated Metaltail
Eulampis jugularis compared with Metallura baroni
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-throated Carib | Violet-throated Metaltail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eulampis jugularis | Metallura baroni |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) | 11.4 cm (4.5 in) |
| Weight | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) | 4.4 g (0.16 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … | Nectarivore of Ecuadorian treeline vegetation; specialized for Ericaceae blooms above 3000 m. Catches small arthropods. |
| 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-throated Metaltail
Melodic, flute-like phrase with clear quality; smooth notes flowing pleasantly in quiet sequence at forest edge.
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-throated Metaltail
Endemic to a tiny area in the Cajas plateau region of southwestern Ecuador. 3,000–4,200 m. Critically endangered.
Conservation Status
Purple-throated Carib
Violet-throated Metaltail
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-throated Metaltail
Green-throated Mountain-gem: males with glittering green gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
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-throated Metaltail
A small hummingbird (9-10 cm) endemic to the Andes of southern Ecuador at 2,500-3,500 m. Males have a violet-purple throat. Nectarivore of cloud forest and páramo edges. Classified as Endangered due to limited range. Named after Baron Erich von Baroni.