Purple-throated Carib vs Green-bearded Helmetcrest
Eulampis jugularis compared with Oxypogon guerinii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-throated Carib | Green-bearded Helmetcrest |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eulampis jugularis | Oxypogon guerinii |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) | 14.1 cm (5.6 in) |
| Weight | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) | 5.175000000000001 g (0.18 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … | Nectarivore of Colombian páramo; forages at frailejón (Espeletia) and cushion plants. Catches small insects near … |
| 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.
Green-bearded Helmetcrest
Sharp, high-pitched squeak with penetrating quality; sudden emphatic note given repeatedly near active feeding territory.
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.
Green-bearded Helmetcrest
Endemic to the eastern Andes of Colombia in high páramo at 3,200–4,800 m elevation. Locally common.
Conservation Status
Purple-throated Carib
Green-bearded Helmetcrest
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
Green-bearded Helmetcrest
Blue-tailed Hummingbird (alt): males with glittering blue-tipped gorget; metallic green above; blue tail; females green above with 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.
Green-bearded Helmetcrest
A small hummingbird (11-12 cm) endemic to the eastern Andes of Colombia at 3,500-4,500 m. Males have a green beard and erect crest. Nectarivore of páramo and treeline habitats, visiting Espeletia and Ericaceae. A Colombian endemic of high-altitude páramo.