[3][4][5] The purple-throated carib was formally described by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1766 in the twelfth edition of his Systema Naturae under the binomial name Trochilus jugularis.

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.

[5] The purple-throated carib feeds primarily on nectar of flowering trees from the middle levels to the treetops.

The species also feeds on small arthropods, catching them on the wing and gleaning them from leaves, flowers, and spider webs.

It makes a small cup nest from soft plant fibers and spider silk, and sometimes attaches lichens and bark strips to the outside.

The purple-throated carib's calls include "strident 'tsip' and sharp 'chewp'" notes that it repeats rapidly when agitated.