Hispaniolan Emerald
Riccordia swainsonii
The Hispaniolan Emerald (Riccordia swainsonii) is a rare hummingbird found in 2 countries. The Hispaniolan emerald is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae.
About the Hispaniolan Emerald
The Hispaniolan emerald is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is endemic to the island of Hispaniola, which is shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Male Hispaniolan emeralds are 9.5 to 10.5 cm (3.7 to 4.1 in) long and females 8.5 to 9.5 cm (3.3 to 3.7 in). The species weighs between 2.5 and 5 g (0.088 and 0.18 oz). Both sexes have a small white spot behind the eye. Males have a bill whose mandible is red and the maxilla black, and that is slightly decurved at the outer end. Its forehead, crown, and cheeks are dull dark brown; the rest of its upperparts and flanks are dark green with a bronze tinge and the uppertail coverts are dark green. Its throat is iridescent green with a large black patch below it. Voice: The Hispaniolan emerald makes "harp metallic chipping notes", sometimes in a long series.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, July, October, November, December, with peak activity in February. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Hispaniolan Emerald?
- Male Hispaniolan emeralds are 9.5 to 10.5 cm (3.7 to 4.1 in) long and females 8.5 to 9.5 cm (3.3 to 3.7 in). Full identification notes are on this page.
- Where can you see a Hispaniolan Emerald?
- The Hispaniolan Emerald occurs in 2 countries, including the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
- What birds look similar to a Hispaniolan Emerald?
- The Hispaniolan Emerald is most easily confused with the Blue-headed Hummingbird, the Puerto Rican Emerald and the Cuban Emerald.
- Is the Hispaniolan Emerald endangered?
- The Hispaniolan Emerald is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Hispaniolan Emerald for real
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