Purple-throated Carib vs Violet-chested Hummingbird
Eulampis jugularis compared with Sternoclyta cyanopectus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-throated Carib | Violet-chested Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eulampis jugularis | Sternoclyta cyanopectus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) | 14.0 cm (5.5 in) |
| Weight | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) | 7.816666666666667 g (0.28 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … | Nectarivore of Venezuelan cloud forest; visits Ericaceae and large epiphyte flowers. Supplements with small arthropods. |
| 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.
Violet-chested Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged buzzing sound carrying well across Andean scrub habitat at low frequency.
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.
Violet-chested Hummingbird
Found in humid montane forest of the coastal Cordillera and tepuis of Venezuela at 1,000–2,200 m elevation.
Conservation Status
Purple-throated Carib
Violet-chested 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
Violet-chested Hummingbird
White-bellied Woodstar (alt): males with glittering purple gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; 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.
Violet-chested Hummingbird
A large hummingbird (12-13 cm) endemic to the coastal mountains of northern Venezuela at 900-2,500 m. Males have a striking violet-blue breast. Nectarivore of montane forest and coffee plantations. A range-restricted Venezuelan endemic.