Purple-throated Carib vs Fiery-throated Hummingbird

Eulampis jugularis compared with Panterpe insignis

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Purple-throated Carib Fiery-throated Hummingbird
Scientific Name Eulampis jugularis Panterpe insignis
Order Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Family Trochilidae Trochilidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 14.3 cm (5.6 in) 12.6 cm (5.0 in)
Weight 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) 6.1000000000000005 g (0.22 oz)
Diet Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … Nectarivore of Costa Rican highland forest; visits Ericaceae and Fuchsia blooms at high elevations. Catches …
Clutch Size 2 2
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Purple-throated Carib only

None

Fiery-throated Hummingbird only

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Song & Call Comparison

Purple-throated Carib

Song

Thin, sibilant twittering with airy quality; light high notes cascading softly in relaxed sequence near flowers.

Fiery-throated Hummingbird

Song

Rough, buzzy chatter with coarse texture; series of harsh notes delivered emphatically during competitive encounter.

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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.

Fiery-throated Hummingbird

Endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama in cloud forest and páramo. 1,500–3,100 m.

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Purple-throated Carib

Least Concern

Fiery-throated Hummingbird

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How to Tell Them Apart

Purple-throated Carib

Plumage

Turquoise-throated Puffleg: iridescent violet crown; glittering turquoise gorget; metallic green back; white leg puffs; females duller

Fiery-throated Hummingbird

Plumage

Slender-tailed Woodstar (alt): males with iridescent purple gorget; metallic bronze-green; white pectoral tufts; females plain green

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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.

Fiery-throated Hummingbird

A medium-sized hummingbird (11 cm) endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama at 1,400-2,500 m. Brilliantly multicolored: fiery orange throat, blue breast, green belly, and coppery tail. Nectarivore of cloud forest. One of the most colorful birds in the Americas.

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