Riccordia swainsonii
The Hispaniolan Emerald (Riccordia swainsonii) is a dazzling, diminutive hummingbird endemic to the island of Hispaniola, captivating birders with its iridescent plumage and rapid flight. Measuring approximately 9-10 cm (3.5-3.9 inches) in length and weighing a mere 3-5 grams, the male is almost entirely brilliant iridescent green, from its crown down to its underparts, often appearing as a living jewel darting through the forest. A distinctive feature for males is their deeply forked, dark p...
This species primarily inhabits moist broadleaf forests, humid montane forests, and shaded coffee plantations, typically found at elevations ranging from 300 to 2,500 meters.
Primarily feeds on nectar from various flowering plants, supplemented significantly by small insects and spiders gleaned from vegetation or caught in flight.
Hispaniolan Emeralds are diurnal and highly active, often perching quietly on slender branches for short periods before darting to feed. Their foraging strategy involves hovering delicately to extract nectar from a variety of flowering plants, but they also exhibit aerial hawking for small insect...
The Hispaniolan Emerald is strictly endemic to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, which comprises the nations of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. It is a resident species, meaning it does not undertake seasonal migrations and remains year-round within its range across the island. Its distributi...
Least Concern
- The Hispaniolan Emerald was formerly placed in the genus *Chlorostilbon* before phylogenetic studies moved it to *Riccordia*, aligning it more closely with species like the Cuban Emerald. - Despite its small size, this hummingbird is known for its aggressive territoriality, often chasing off mu...