Golden-crowned Emerald
Cynanthus auriceps
Golden-crowned Emerald (Cynanthus auriceps) — Hummingbirds of Central America & Caribbean.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Golden-crowned Emerald (Cynanthus auriceps) is a member of the Trochilidae family found in Central America & Caribbean. Adults weigh 2.6 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Apodiformes
- Family Trochilidae Hummingbirds
- Genus Cynanthus
- Species auriceps
Quick facts
- Weight
- 2.6 g
- Diet
- Nectar-feeders
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Golden-crowned Emerald is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open scrub and shrubland, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Golden-crowned Emerald is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Golden-crowned Emerald (Cynanthus auriceps) is a member of the Trochilidae family, within the order Apodiformes. Its range spans Central America & Caribbean. Its distribution covers MA w, c Mexico.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 2.6 g, with a wing length of about 4.3 cm and a tail of around 3.5 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Golden-crowned Emerald?
The Golden-crowned Emerald is a very small bird that weighs around 2.6 g.
Where does the Golden-crowned Emerald live?
The Golden-crowned Emerald is found across Central America & Caribbean with a range covering MA w, c Mexico, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Golden-crowned Emerald belong to?
The Golden-crowned Emerald (Cynanthus auriceps) belongs to the Trochilidae family, in the order Apodiformes.
What does the Golden-crowned Emerald eat?
The Golden-crowned Emerald is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Does the Golden-crowned Emerald migrate?
The Golden-crowned Emerald is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Golden-crowned Emerald endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
Best Hummingbird Feeders
How to choose a hummingbird feeder — the two main styles compared, the right sugar-water mix, and how to keep it clean so the birds stay safe. A decision framework with the hummingbird species in the Birbs encyclopedia.
Meet the Trochilidae
A field guide to the Trochilidae family — 366 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.