Purple-throated Carib
Eulampis jugularis
The Purple-throated Carib (Eulampis jugularis) is a rare hummingbird found in 14 countries, weighing about 9 g. The purple-throated carib is a species of hummingbird in the subfamily Polytminae.
About the Purple-throated Carib
The purple-throated carib is a species of hummingbird in the subfamily Polytminae. It is resident on most of the islands of the Lesser Antilles and has occurred as a vagrant both further north and south.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The purple-throated carib is 11 to 12 cm (4.3 to 4.7 in) long. Males weigh 9 to 12 g (0.32 to 0.42 oz) and females 7 to 10 g (0.25 to 0.35 oz); specimens of unrecorded sex weighed 6.7 to 10.8 g (0.24 to 0.38 oz). The adult male and female have the same plumage. Their crown and back are velvety black, the throat and chest fiery purplish red, the wings bright golden green, and the tail and its upper and lower coverts metallic greenish blue. The male has a medium length slightly decurved bill; the female's is longer and more strongly curved. Voice: The purple-throated carib's calls include "strident 'tsip' and sharp 'chewp'" notes that it repeats rapidly when agitated.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Puerto Rico, United States, St. Barthélemy, U.S. Virgin Islands.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, October, November, December, with peak activity in March. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Purple-throated Carib?
- The purple-throated carib is 11 to 12 cm (4.3 to 4.7 in) long. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Purple-throated Carib?
- The Purple-throated Carib is a tiny sized bird weighing about 9 g.
- Where can you see a Purple-throated Carib?
- The Purple-throated Carib occurs in 14 countries, including Guadeloupe, St. Lucia, Dominica, Martinique and St. Vincent & Grenadines.
- What birds look similar to a Purple-throated Carib?
- The Purple-throated Carib is most easily confused with the Green-throated Carib.
- Is the Purple-throated Carib endangered?
- The Purple-throated Carib is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Purple-throated Carib for real
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