Purple-throated Carib vs Crimson Topaz
Eulampis jugularis compared with Topaza pella
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-throated Carib | Crimson Topaz |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eulampis jugularis | Topaza pella |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) | 15.0 cm (5.9 in) |
| Weight | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) | 12.625 g (0.45 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … | Nectarivore and insectivore; extracts nectar from trap-lining flowers and hawks small flying insects in forest … |
| 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.
Crimson Topaz
Rough, raspy chatter with intermittent clear whistles; complex mix of harsh and musical notes characteristic of active pairs.
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.
Crimson Topaz
Found in the Guiana Shield and Amazon basin from Colombia and Venezuela south to Peru and Brazil. Resident near rivers in lowland forest.
Conservation Status
Purple-throated Carib
Crimson Topaz
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
Crimson Topaz
Spectacular male: deep crimson-red body with iridescent golden-green throat; elongated crossed central tail feathers; female green and cinnamon-buff; one of South America's most brilliantly coloured hummingbirds.
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.
Crimson Topaz
A spectacular, large hummingbird (18-20 cm including long tail) of northern South America. Male has glittering crimson-red throat and breast with a golden-green back. The largest hummingbird in its range. Nectarivore of lowland tropical forest canopy, visiting large flowers. Found in Venezuela, the Guianas, and northern Brazil.