Bird · GBIF taxon 11091395
Puerto Rican Emerald
Riccordia maugaeusAlso 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
1 / 3—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Flower 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
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyTrochilidae
- SpeciesRiccordia maugaeus
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
- 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.
Co-Occurring Endemic Caribbean Neighbor Close Relative 
Close Relative (c) Anthony Batista, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.