Purple-throated Carib vs Sparkling-tailed Woodstar
Eulampis jugularis compared with Tilmatura dupontii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-throated Carib | Sparkling-tailed Woodstar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eulampis jugularis | Tilmatura dupontii |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) | 7.2 cm (2.8 in) |
| Weight | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) | 2.2 g (0.08 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … | Feeds on floral nectar at low scrub blooms in dry Central American valleys. Catches small … |
| 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.
Sparkling-tailed Woodstar
Sharp, penetrating squeak repeated quickly; tiny piercing notes given insistently during competitive territorial encounter.
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.
Sparkling-tailed Woodstar
Found in highlands from southern Mexico to Honduras at 600-2,500 m elevation. Resident in pine-oak and cloud forest edges.
Conservation Status
Purple-throated Carib
Sparkling-tailed Woodstar
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
Sparkling-tailed Woodstar
Anna's Hummingbird (alt): males with glittering rose-red gorget extending to crown; metallic green back; females green with 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.
Sparkling-tailed Woodstar
A tiny hummingbird (7-8 cm) found in highlands from Mexico to Honduras at 600-2,500 m. Males have a striking elongated, sparkling tail with dark tips. Nectarivore of pine-oak forest edges and gardens. The tail sparkles like fireworks in flight.