Photo: John Gould / Henry Constantine Richter / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Hispaniolan Emerald
Riccordia swainsonii
Hispaniolan Emerald (Riccordia swainsonii) — Hummingbirds of North America.
The Hispaniolan Emerald (Riccordia swainsonii) is a member of the Trochilidae family found in North America. Adults weigh 4.3 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 Riccordia
- Species swainsonii
Quick facts
- Weight
- 4.3 g
- Diet
- Nectar-feeders
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Endangered
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Hispaniolan Emerald is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Hispaniolan Emerald is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Hispaniolan Emerald (Riccordia swainsonii) is a species of bird in the Trochilidae family, part of the order Apodiformes. Its range spans North America. Its distribution covers NA Hispaniola.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 4.3 g, with a wing length of about 5.5 cm and a tail of around 4 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 Hispaniolan Emerald?
The Hispaniolan Emerald is a very small bird that weighs around 4.3 g.
Where does the Hispaniolan Emerald live?
The Hispaniolan Emerald is found across North America with a range covering NA Hispaniola, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Hispaniolan Emerald belong to?
The Hispaniolan Emerald (Riccordia swainsonii) belongs to the Trochilidae family, in the order Apodiformes.
What does the Hispaniolan Emerald eat?
The Hispaniolan Emerald is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Does the Hispaniolan Emerald migrate?
The Hispaniolan Emerald is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Hispaniolan 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.