Fauna
Bird

Puerto Rican Emerald

Riccordia maugaeus

Also known as Zumbadorcito de Puerto Rico, Maugé's Emerald, Puerto Rican Emerald Hummingbird

Glittering like a fresh jewel through the canopy, the Puerto Rican Emerald zips between tubular blossoms across mountain slopes and shaded coffee plantations. Males display brilliant emerald green feathers paired with a dark, deeply notched tail, while females feature soft greyish underparts. These tiny hovering pollinators build delicate cup nests from plant down and spider silk, defending nectar territories with sharp, rapid chirps.

EndemicPollinatorIridescent
Puerto Rican Emerald reference1 / 3
(c) Tom Kennedy, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tom Kennedy · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyFlower nectar, Small spiders, Gnats and small flies
Predators
  • Puerto Rican Screech-Owl
  • Scaly-naped Pigeon
  • Feral cats
ThreatsSevere hurricane impacts, deforestation, and extreme weather events
HabitatsMontane rainforests, secondary forests, shade coffee plantations, and coastal scrub
Life span3 to 5 years
Classification
  1. FamilyTrochilidae
  2. SpeciesRiccordia maugaeus
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.
What to notice
Look for a tiny hummingbird with iridescent green feathers and a distinctive reddish lower bill.
Support conservation
Observe quietly from a distance without disturbing active nests or feeding territories.
Responsible observation
  • Listen for Calls: Search for fast, buzzing flights accompanied by sharp, high-pitched chirps in sunny clearings.
  • Plant Native Flora: Spot them foraging around red tubular blossoms like hibiscus and mountain immortelle.
  • Keep Your Distance: Use binoculars around active nest sites to avoid disturbing brooding adults.
Related species
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