Purple-throated Carib vs Snowcap
Eulampis jugularis compared with Microchera albocoronata
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-throated Carib | Snowcap |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eulampis jugularis | Microchera albocoronata |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) | 2.7 g (0.10 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … | Feeds on nectar from low shrubs and forest epiphytes in Central America. Supplements with small … |
| 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.
Snowcap
High, crystalline notes in bright musical phrase; clear ascending tones cascading smoothly in cheerful display.
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.
Snowcap
Found in humid forests from Honduras to western Panama. Resident in lowland and foothill forest canopy.
Conservation Status
Purple-throated Carib
Snowcap
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
Snowcap
Black-bellied Bustard: males with black belly and neck stripe; white flanks; brown above; females brown above; pale below; dimorphic
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.
Snowcap
A tiny hummingbird (6-7 cm) found in humid forests from Honduras to western Panama. Males have a striking white crown cap contrasting with dark purple body, giving the snowcap name. Nectarivore of forest canopy. One of the smallest and most distinctive Central American hummingbirds.