Bird · GBIF taxon 10986504
Hispaniolan Emerald
Riccordia swainsoniiAlso known as Hispaniola Emerald, Swainson's Hummingbird
Hispaniolan emeralds zip through humid mountain forests and pine woodlands across Hispaniola, hovering effortlessly before tubular blossoms. Males display striking iridescent green upperparts, dark chest plumage, and a deeply forked tail, anchored by a distinct red lower mandible. Females sport greyish underparts and build tiny cup nests woven from moss and spider silk in shaded understory branches.
EndemicPollinatorTropical
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Nectar
- Insects
- Spiders
Predators
- Hawks
- Owls
- Feral cats
ThreatsDeforestation, habitat fragmentation, and severe tropical storms
HabitatsMontane humid forests, pine forests, forest borders, and shaded plantations
Life span3 to 5 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyTrochilidae
- SpeciesRiccordia swainsonii
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Recognize males by their deeply forked tail, dark chest, and red bill base in montane forests.
- Support conservation
- Maintain a respectful distance during breeding season and avoid disturbing understory nest sites.
Responsible observation
- Observation: Look for them along forest trails where flowering vines and shrubs grow in sunlit gaps.
- Identification: Listen for high-pitched metallic chirps near forest gaps and edges.
- Nesting Etiquette: Keep a respectful distance from active nests to avoid causing parents to desert.
Co-occurring Pollinator Co-occurring Pollinator Close Relative 
Close Relative (c) Tom Kennedy, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tom Kennedy · cc-by
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