Purple-throated Carib vs Rufous Hummingbird
Eulampis jugularis compared with Selasphorus rufus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-throated Carib | Rufous Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eulampis jugularis | Selasphorus rufus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) | 3.72 g (0.13 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … | Highly migratory nectarivore visiting a wide diversity of western North American flowers. Supplements with insects … |
| 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.
Rufous Hummingbird
Soft, liquid notes with gentle melancholy; mellow flowing sequence with subtle sadness in quiet forest.
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.
Rufous Hummingbird
Breeds from Alaska south to Oregon. Migrates up to 6,400 km to winter in Mexico, the longest migration relative to body size of any bird.
Conservation Status
Purple-throated Carib
Rufous 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
Rufous Hummingbird
Green-crowned Woodnymph: males with glittering green crown; violet-blue gorget; metallic green above; females green above; spots
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.
Rufous Hummingbird
A small hummingbird (8-9 cm) known for its extraordinary migration, traveling up to 6,400 km between breeding grounds in Alaska and wintering areas in Mexico. Males have a brilliant orange-red gorget. The longest migration relative to body size of any bird.