Purple-throated Carib (Eulampis jugularis)

The Purple-throated Carib (Eulampis jugularis) is a beautiful species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae found in the Caribbean islands.

img_7916a img_7880a img_7911a

They have a wide distribution in the Caribbean.  I personally saw them in St Lucia & St Vincent.  They are very striking when the sun highlights their purple throats!

purthrtcarib

LEARN MORE ABOUT PURPLE-THROATED CARIB HUMMINGBIRDS

Wikipedia

Birdlife

Neotropical Birds

VIDEOS

Se what a beauty he is, they even put a slo-mo sequence at the end!

A little privacy please, can’t you see I am taking a shower?

 

 

Des Cartiers Trail – The Highlight Of Birding St Lucia

I have already blogged the main part of the birding trip but I think Des Cartiers Trail deserves a post of its own.

img_7786 dscn4036

This is a ranger station where you pay to enter the trail although this was included in our tour fee so Vision paid for the group.dscn4039 dscn4040

Good information at the ranger station and restrooms as well.dscn4041 dscn4042 dscn4043

Vision whistling at a bird to lure it closer.  The trail is uphill and challenging for the unfit (like me) but well maintained and relatively easydscn4044 dscn4045 dscn4047 dscn4048 dscn4051 dscn4058 dscn4063

We finally arrived at a small platform where we settled in to watch for St Lucia Parrots.dscn4066 dscn4068 dscn4070 dscn4074 dscn4075 dscn4076 dscn4077 dscn4078

We didn’t have to wait long, the St Lucia Parrots were swooping back and forth in the valley.  Getting a photo was a challenge as they were far away and hard to focus on.  Below you see my best attempts.  Others have been luckier and the parrots perched in the trees near the platform.

St. Lucia Parrot

img_7808 img_7810 img_7810a img_7813 img_7816 img_7828 img_7811a img_7813a img_7816a img_7817a img_7825a

St. Lucia Oriole

img_7845 img_7847

St. Lucia Parrot

img_7854 img_7860 img_7861 img_7863 img_7869 img_7873 img_7876 img_7877 img_7836a img_7842a

St. Lucia Oriole

img_7846a

St. Lucia Parrot

img_7860a img_7861a img_7870a img_7871a

St. Lucia Oriole

img_7847a img_7879a

Purple-throated Carib

img_7878 img_7881 img_7887 img_7880a img_7895

Purple-throated Carib

img_7902 img_7906 img_7908 img_7911 img_7914 img_7916 img_7911a img_7916a