Purple-throated Carib vs Tyrian Metaltail
Eulampis jugularis compared with Metallura tyrianthina
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-throated Carib | Tyrian Metaltail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eulampis jugularis | Metallura tyrianthina |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) | 10.8 cm (4.3 in) |
| Weight | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) | 3.72 g (0.13 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … | Nectarivore of high Andean montane shrublands; specializes in Ericaceae and Brachyotum flowers. Catches small insects … |
| 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.
Tyrian Metaltail
Rough, raspy chatter with coarse texture; series of harsh notes with buzzy edges delivered emphatically from perch.
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.
Tyrian Metaltail
Widespread in Andean cloud forests and shrubby páramo from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 1,800–4,200 m.
Conservation Status
Purple-throated Carib
Tyrian 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
Tyrian Metaltail
Stripe-breasted Starthroat: tiny; males with violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted below
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.
Tyrian Metaltail
A small hummingbird (9-10 cm) widely distributed in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela to Bolivia at 1,500-3,500 m. Males have a glittering violet-purple rump and tail. Nectarivore of montane forest. One of the most common and widespread Andean hummingbird species.