Purple-throated Carib vs Scale-throated Hermit
Eulampis jugularis compared with Phaethornis eurynome
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-throated Carib | Scale-throated Hermit |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eulampis jugularis | Phaethornis eurynome |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) | 11.7 cm (4.6 in) |
| Weight | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) | 4.96 g (0.17 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … | Nectarivore of long-tubed lowland flowers, especially Heliconia. Gleans small insects and spiders from leaf surfaces. |
| 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.
Scale-throated Hermit
Buzzy, high-pitched trill sustained for several seconds; continuous vibrating note with little variation, insect-like quality.
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.
Scale-throated Hermit
Endemic to the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil from Minas Gerais south to Rio Grande do Sul. Found at 100–1,500 m.
Conservation Status
Purple-throated Carib
Scale-throated Hermit
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
Scale-throated Hermit
Koepcke's Hermit: cinnamon underparts; olive-green crown and back; pale supercilium; graduated tail with white tips; decurved 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.
Scale-throated Hermit
A medium-sized hermit hummingbird (14-15 cm) found in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil, northeastern Argentina, and eastern Paraguay. Green plumage with scaled throat pattern and long, white-tipped tail. Nectarivore of forest undergrowth and edges.