Fauna
Bird

Hispaniolan Emerald

Riccordia swainsonii

Also known as Hispaniolan Emerald Hummingbird, Swainson's Emerald

Hispaniolan emeralds zipping through Caribbean mountain forests display shimmering green plumage paired with a dramatically long, deeply forked blackish tail. Males defend rich patches of flowering shrubs, hovering effortlessly while sipping nectar and hawking small insects mid-air. These energetic hummingbirds serve as essential pollinators for native high-elevation plants across Hispaniola.

EndemicPollinatorMountain Dweller
Hispaniolan Emerald reference1 / 3
(c) Anthony Batista, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyNectar, Small Flies, Spiders
Predators
  • Feral Cats
  • Hawks
  • Snakes
ThreatsDeforestation, agricultural expansion, and severe hurricane events
HabitatsHumid montane forests, pine woodlands, forest edges, and shade coffee plantations
Life span3–5 years
Classification
  1. FamilyTrochilidae
  2. SpeciesRiccordia swainsonii
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Observation Location: Scan flowering shrubs and canopy edges in high-elevation montane parks.
  • Photography: Use high shutter speeds to freeze rapid wingbeats in bright daylight.
  • Habitat Protection: Stick to marked trails to protect fragile montane understory vegetation.
Related species
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