photo: yanzhuo
photo: zebrazoma
photo: Denise Caron
photo: Denise Caron
photo: Denise Caron
photo: yanzhuo
Habitat: breeds on Antigua, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Montserrat, Saba, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and Sint Eustatius. It has occurred as a vagrant in Barbados, Barbuda, Grenada and the Virgin Islands.
Status: Least Concern
The Purple-throated Carib (Eulampis jugularis) is a gorgeous species of larger hummingbird with adults reaching 11.5 cm (4.5 inches) in length. Males and females are sexually dimorphic, meaning they look different from one another. The male is a little bit larger than the female and the female has a 30% longer and more sharply down-curved beak than the male’s.
Like most other species of hummingbird, the Purple-throated Carib has iridescent feathers, meaning the color shifts depending on the amount of light playing off the feathers. So, depending on the lighting the purple throat can appear brilliant purple, dull purple, or even black.
When defending their territory, these birds assume a threatening stance by positioning its body horizontally with its wings perpendicular to the body and held somewhat down. The bird then points its bill towards the intruder and shakes its body; sometimes it moves its head side to side as well. (source) Ooo… scary!
