Purple-throated Carib vs White-bearded Helmetcrest
Eulampis jugularis compared with Oxypogon lindenii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-throated Carib | White-bearded Helmetcrest |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eulampis jugularis | Oxypogon lindenii |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) | 14.4 cm (5.7 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 restricted to high Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta páramo. Visits sparse Espeletia blooms; supplements … |
| 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.
White-bearded Helmetcrest
Soft, melodic ascending call; gentle pure tones rising gradually in unhurried musical sequence at forest edge.
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.
White-bearded Helmetcrest
Endemic to the Venezuelan Andes of Mérida in high páramo at 3,000–4,600 m. Restricted range.
Conservation Status
Purple-throated Carib
White-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
White-bearded Helmetcrest
Berylline Hummingbird: males with iridescent beryl-green gorget and head; metallic green; rufous wings; females duller with spotted throat
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.
White-bearded Helmetcrest
A small hummingbird (11-12 cm) endemic to the Andes of western Venezuela (Mérida and Trujillo) at 3,500-4,700 m. Males have a white beard and erect crest. Nectarivore of páramo, visiting Espeletia frailejón. A Venezuelan highland endemic.