Purple-throated Carib vs Glow-throated Hummingbird
Eulampis jugularis compared with Selasphorus ardens
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-throated Carib | Glow-throated Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eulampis jugularis | Selasphorus ardens |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Endangered |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) | 8.0 cm (3.1 in) |
| Weight | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) | 3.1 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … | Nectarivore of Chiriquí highlands; feeds at flowering understorey shrubs and supplements with insects and spiders. |
| 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.
Glow-throated Hummingbird
Deep, hollow resonant churr; low-frequency buzzing sound vibrating persistently through tropical forest canopy.
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.
Glow-throated Hummingbird
Endemic to the western highlands of Panama at 900-2,000 m in the Chiriquí region. Classified as Endangered.
Conservation Status
Purple-throated Carib
Glow-throated Hummingbird
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
Glow-throated Hummingbird
Black-billed Streamertail: males with glittering green body; elongated tail streamers; black bill; females plain green above; spotted
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.
Glow-throated Hummingbird
A tiny hummingbird (7-8 cm) endemic to the western highlands of Panama at 900-2,000 m. Males have a glowing magenta throat. Nectarivore of cloud forest edges. Classified as Endangered due to extremely restricted range in the Chiriquí highlands.