Purple-throated Carib vs Allen's Hummingbird

Eulampis jugularis compared with Selasphorus sasin

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Purple-throated Carib Allen's Hummingbird
Scientific Name Eulampis jugularis Selasphorus sasin
Order Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Family Trochilidae Trochilidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 14.3 cm (5.6 in) 8.1 cm (3.2 in)
Weight 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz)
Diet Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … Feeds on nectar from coastal sage scrub and forest flowers in California. Supplements diet with …
Clutch Size 2 2
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Purple-throated Carib only

None

Allen's Hummingbird only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Purple-throated Carib

Song

Thin, sibilant twittering with airy quality; light high notes cascading softly in relaxed sequence near flowers.

Allen's Hummingbird

Song

Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.

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.

Allen's Hummingbird

Breeds along the Pacific coast from Oregon to southern California. Partial migrant; some Channel Islands populations resident year-round.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Purple-throated Carib

Least Concern

Allen's Hummingbird

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.

Allen's Hummingbird

A small hummingbird (8-9 cm) breeding along the Pacific coast from Oregon to southern California. Males have an orange-red throat and rufous flanks. Closely related to Rufous Hummingbird. Partial migrant; some populations resident on Channel Islands. Named after Thomas Allen.

More Birds to Explore

Explore the Nature FYI Family