Cozumel Emerald

Cynanthus forficatus

Hummingbirds · Apodiformes · Rare

The Cozumel Emerald (Cynanthus forficatus) is a rare hummingbird found only in Mexico. The Cozumel emerald is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae.

Least ConcernRareEndemic

About the Cozumel Emerald

The Cozumel emerald is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is endemic to the Mexican island of Cozumel off the Yucatán Peninsula.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

How to identify it

Male Cozumel emeralds are 9 to 10.5 cm (3.5 to 4.1 in) long and females 8 to 9.1 cm (3.1 to 3.6 in). Males and females both weigh about 2.5 g (0.088 oz). Males have a black bill with a red tip. Its crown is bright golden to golden green and the rest of the upperparts are a slightly duller golden green. Its underparts are brilliant metallic golden green with white tibial tufts. The tail is long and deeply forked, blue-black or black with a blue gloss, and the central two or three pairs of feathers have dark brownish gray tips. The female's maxilla is black and the mandible red with a black tip. Voice: The Cozumel emerald's vocalizations are described as similar to those of it close relatives, "dry, rattling and chattering calls".

Where it lives

When to see it

Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, October, November, December, with peak activity in December. It is a variable species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Cozumel Emerald?
Male Cozumel emeralds are 9 to 10.5 cm (3.5 to 4.1 in) long and females 8 to 9.1 cm (3.1 to 3.6 in). Full identification notes are on this page.
Where can you see a Cozumel Emerald?
The Cozumel Emerald is endemic to Mexico, which is the only country where it occurs.
What birds look similar to a Cozumel Emerald?
The Cozumel Emerald is most easily confused with the Turquoise-crowned Hummingbird, the Golden-crowned Emerald and the Canivet's Emerald.
Is the Cozumel Emerald endangered?
The Cozumel Emerald is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Cozumel Emerald for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

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