Purple-throated Carib vs Peruvian Piedtail
Eulampis jugularis compared with Phlogophilus harterti
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-throated Carib | Peruvian Piedtail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eulampis jugularis | Phlogophilus harterti |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) | 9.1 cm (3.6 in) |
| Weight | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) | 2.45 g (0.09 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … | Nectarivore of Peruvian montane forest understory. Visits tubular flowers; catches small insects gleaned from leaf … |
| 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.
Peruvian Piedtail
Deep, resonant hum barely audible; extremely low-frequency vibration perceptible more as sensation than distinct sound.
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.
Peruvian Piedtail
Found on the eastern Andean slope in Peru in humid foothill forest. 400–1,400 m elevation.
Conservation Status
Purple-throated Carib
Peruvian Piedtail
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
Peruvian Piedtail
Calliope Hummingbird: males with glittering rosy-red streaked gorget; metallic green above; females plain green above; short tail
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.
Peruvian Piedtail
A small hummingbird (9-10 cm) found in Andean cloud forests of Peru at 1,300-2,200 m. Green plumage with pale-tipped tail. Nectarivore of montane forest understory. Named after Ernst Hartert. Classified as Near Threatened due to limited range.