Purple-throated Carib vs Rufous Sabrewing
Eulampis jugularis compared with Pampa rufa
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-throated Carib | Rufous Sabrewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eulampis jugularis | Pampa rufa |
| 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) | 7.183333333333334 g (0.25 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … | Feeds on floral nectar from lowland Veracruz forest and supplementing with insects and spiders caught … |
| 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.
Rufous Sabrewing
Soft, pure whistle with warm melancholy; gentle sustained tone with slight fall, given quietly at dusk.
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.
Rufous Sabrewing
Found in humid mountain forests from central Mexico to Honduras at 1,200-2,800 m. Resident in cloud forest undergrowth.
Conservation Status
Purple-throated Carib
Rufous Sabrewing
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
Rufous Sabrewing
Eastern Grey Plantain-eater: pale gray overall; darker wings; long graduated tail; short blunt gray crest; yellowish bill
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.
Rufous Sabrewing
A large hummingbird (13-14 cm) found in humid mountain forests from central Mexico to Honduras at 1,200-2,800 m. Entirely rufous-cinnamon plumage, unusual among hummingbirds. Nectarivore of cloud forest undergrowth. The distinctive rufous coloration makes it unmistakable.