| Purple-throated Carib (Eulampis jugularis (Linnaeus, 1766)) |
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Scientific name: Eulampis jugularis (Linnaeus, 1766) Common name: Purple-throated Carib French name: Colibri madère Order: Apodiformes Family: Trochilidae Size: Body size: 11 to 12 cm; Weight: 7 to 12 g. Females are very slightly smaller than males. Habitat: Humid mountain forests but also dry forests, banana plantations, parks and gardens. Food: Flower nectar as well as small arthropods captured through the vegetation. Nesting: The nest is a very small cup located about 3-5 meters high on a vertical branch of a tree. There is a clutch of 2 eggs usually between February and May. Migration: Sedentary. Geographic area: Islands of the Lesser Antilles. |
The Purple-throated Carib does not show sexual dimorphism in colouration. The plumage is globally black. In good light we can see a beautiful purple-red mark on the throat and chest. The wings are metallic green. The eyes, bill and legs are black. The long bill is curved downwards. That of the females is longer and more curved than that of the males because the two sexes do not feed on the same species of flowers. |
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I observed many Purple-throated Caribs during my two-week stay in Martinique. We will content ourselves, to begin with, with a small silhouette photographed backlit. You just need to wait a bit for more colourful shots. Unless I am mistaken, the slightly curved and fairly short bill must indicate a male. |
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Here is a new observation done while visiting the beautiful gardens of Habitation Clément. |
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The bill seems quite long and curved to me here. Unless I'm mistaken, I think it's a female. |
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If there is one place where it is easy to see Purple-throated Caribs, it is in the beautiful Balata Garden. |
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Purple-throated Caribs are attracted to nectar feeders, so it is quite easy to take photos in flight. |
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Another photo in flight. |
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Here is a wider view of the nectar feeder. You can see that it is very popular with Purple-throated Caribs. |
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I have got very few pictures on which you can guess the purple-red mark on the throat and chest. This one is the best I have got. |
André Bon December 2023