Purple-throated Carib vs Coppery-headed Emerald
Eulampis jugularis compared with Microchera cupreiceps
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-throated Carib | Coppery-headed Emerald |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eulampis jugularis | Microchera cupreiceps |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) | — |
| Weight | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) | 3.15 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … | Feeds on nectar from diverse forest flowers, hovering briefly at each bloom. Takes 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.
Coppery-headed Emerald
Rough, grating buzz with coarse texture; harsh sustained vibration carrying across open scrubby hillside.
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.
Coppery-headed Emerald
Endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica at 700-1,600 m. Classified as Near Threatened. A Costa Rican endemic.
Conservation Status
Purple-throated Carib
Coppery-headed Emerald
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
Coppery-headed Emerald
Little Brown Bustard: brown-vermiculated above; pale buff below; white wing patches; short streaked crest; sexually similar plumage
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.
Coppery-headed Emerald
A small hummingbird (8-9 cm) endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica at 700-1,600 m. Males have a glittering copper-green crown and white breast. Nectarivore of cloud forest and forest edges. A Costa Rican endemic. Classified as Near Threatened.