Purple-throated Carib vs Calliope Hummingbird
Eulampis jugularis compared with Selasphorus calliope
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-throated Carib | Calliope Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eulampis jugularis | Selasphorus calliope |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) | 8.3 cm (3.3 in) |
| Weight | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) | 2.7633333333333336 g (0.10 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … | Smallest breeding bird in North America; feeds on mountain meadow nectar and supplements with small … |
| 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.
Calliope Hummingbird
Rough, coarse chatter with energetic delivery; rapid series of harsh notes tumbling quickly in vigorous exchange.
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.
Calliope Hummingbird
Breeds in mountain meadows of western North America from British Columbia to Utah. Long-distance migrant wintering in Mexico.
Conservation Status
Purple-throated Carib
Calliope 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
Calliope Hummingbird
Violet-crowned Woodnymph: males with iridescent violet crown and gorget; metallic green above; females green above; spotted below
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.
Calliope Hummingbird
A tiny hummingbird (7-8 cm), the smallest breeding bird in the United States. Males have an iridescent magenta-pink gorget. Breeds in mountain meadows of the western US and Canada. Long-distance migrant to Mexico. Named for its resemblance to the beautiful Calliope of Greek mythology.