Green-throated Carib

The green-throated carib is a large hummingbird, 10.5 to 12 cm (4.1 to 4.7 in) long. Both sexes have a bright green back, though the female's is duller, and a bright green gorget. The male's gorget has a blue border that is usually not apparent. Males and females have a black belly, a green vent area, and a dark blue tail that appears black in poor light. The underparts of subspecies E. h. chlorolaemus are somewhat darker than those of the nominate. Males have a medium length slightly decurved bill; the female's is longer and more strongly curved. The calls include a sharp chup! or chuwp!. During territorial disputes it sometimes makes rattles and whirs with its wings.

The green-throated carib is generally sedentary but some are known to move to wetter areas after the breeding season. The nominate subspecies is found from eastern Puerto Rico through the Virgin Islands and the Lesser Antilles chain as far as (but not including) Grenada. E. h. chlorolaemus is endemic to Grenada. The species inhabits a variety of landscapes including wet forest, semi-deciduous forest, cultivated areas, gardens, and parks. On Martinique it is also found in drier habitat. On many islands it is most common near sea level though on Dominica it is found mostly in foothills.

The green-throated carib feeds on the nectar of a variety of flowering shrubs and trees. Males are believed to defend flowering feeding territories all year but females do so only in the non-breeding season. The species also feeds on small arthropods such as insects and spiders, mostly caught on the wing.