Purple-throated Carib vs Fire-throated Metaltail
Eulampis jugularis compared with Metallura eupogon
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-throated Carib | Fire-throated Metaltail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eulampis jugularis | Metallura eupogon |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) | 11.9 cm (4.7 in) |
| Weight | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) | 4.8 g (0.17 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … | Nectarivore of Peruvian high-altitude shrublands; visits Ericaceae and Valeriana flowers. Catches small insects near blooms. |
| 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.
Fire-throated Metaltail
Soft, pure whistle with plaintive character; gentle sustained tone with slight wavering, given at dawn from cover.
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.
Fire-throated Metaltail
Endemic to Peru in cloud forests and high shrub of the Cordillera Central at 2,800–4,400 m elevation.
Conservation Status
Purple-throated Carib
Fire-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
Fire-throated Metaltail
White-throated Mountain-gem: males with glittering ruby-green gorget; metallic green above; white throat; 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.
Fire-throated Metaltail
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) endemic to the Andes of central and southern Peru at 3,000-4,200 m. Males have a glittering fiery-red throat. Nectarivore of puna scrub and cloud forest edges. A Peruvian endemic found in Polylepis woodland and high-altitude shrubs.