Purple-throated Carib vs Buffy Helmetcrest
Eulampis jugularis compared with Oxypogon stuebelii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-throated Carib | Buffy Helmetcrest |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eulampis jugularis | Oxypogon stuebelii |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) | 11.1 cm (4.4 in) |
| Weight | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) | 5.4 g (0.19 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … | Nectarivore of high páramo and superparamo; visits sparse Espeletia and Chuquiraga flowers in harsh conditions. … |
| Clutch Size | 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.
Buffy Helmetcrest
Pure, sustained flute-like tone; single clear note held steadily then fading, warm and round in quiet forest shade.
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.
Buffy Helmetcrest
Endemic to the Ruiz-Tolima volcanic massif of Colombia in high páramo at 3,800–4,800 m. Locally common.
Conservation Status
Purple-throated Carib
Buffy 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
Buffy Helmetcrest
Purple-chested Hummingbird: males with brilliant iridescent violet-purple breast; metallic green above; females green with 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.
Buffy Helmetcrest
A small hummingbird (11-12 cm) endemic to the central Andes of Colombia at 3,500-4,500 m. Males have a striking erect crest and buffy beard. Nectarivore of high-altitude páramo, visiting Espeletia frailejón plants. Named after the German explorer Alphons Stübel.