Birds Active during the day

Cuban Emerald

Riccordia ricordii

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

The Cuban Emerald is a shimmering jewel of the Caribbean, known for its bold personality and striking iridescent green plumage. A frequent visitor to island gardens, this resilient hummingbird brings a spark of high-speed energy to any backyard.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length 10.5–11.5 cm (4.1–4.5 in); wingspan approx. 13 cm (5.1 in); weight 3.5–5 g (0.12–0.18 oz)

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Colors

Iridescent emerald green overall; males have a deeply forked blackish tail; females have greyish-white underparts and a less forked tail; both sexes feature a distinct white spot behind the eye.

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Key Features

Shimmering metallic green plumage
Deeply forked dark tail (prominent in males)
Small white patch directly behind the eye
Slightly decurved black bill

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 6-10 AM, 3-6 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Primarily nectar from tubular flowers (like hibiscus and firebush) and sugar water from feeders; also consumes small insects and spiders for essential protein.

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Habitat Versatile inhabitant found in suburban gardens, forest edges, pine woodlands, coastal scrub, and agricultural areas.

Behavior

The Cuban Emerald is a bold and highly territorial hummingbird known for its energetic presence in Caribbean gardens. It is a fierce defender of its nectar sources, often seen chasing away larger birds or competing hummingbirds with rapid, aggressive flight patterns. Despite their small size, they are incredibly hardy and are one of the most visible bird species within their range, often hovering just inches away from humans who provide feeders.

These birds are most vocal during the breeding season, emitting a series of high-pitched, metallic 'tinkling' or 'chirping' notes. Their flight is characterized by extremely rapid wingbeats that create a low humming sound, and they are capable of hovering perfectly still while feeding. In addition to nectar, they are frequently observed performing 'hawking' maneuvers, where they dart into the air to catch tiny flying insects.

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Camera Tips

To capture the stunning iridescence of the Cuban Emerald, placement is everything. Position your AI-powered camera within 2 to 3 feet of a nectar feeder or a cluster of native tubular flowers like Firebush (Hamelia patens) or Coral Honeysuckle. Because these birds move at incredible speeds, set your camera to its highest possible frame rate or use a 'burst' mode to ensure you don't just get a green blur. Angle the camera so the sun is behind or to the side of the lens; this lighting is crucial for catching the metallic sheen of their feathers rather than having them appear as a dark silhouette.

Height is also a key factor; aim for a mounting height of 4 to 5 feet off the ground, which aligns with their preferred foraging level. If you are using a feeder, try to find a camera mount that attaches directly to the feeder or a nearby shepherd’s hook. This close-up perspective allows the AI to trigger more reliably and provides the high-detail shots of the white eye-spot and forked tail that make for great profile photos. Avoid placing the camera in high-wind areas, as swaying flowers or feeders can cause false triggers.

Since they are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, ensure your camera's exposure settings are optimized for these 'golden hours' to get the best color saturation. During the hotter parts of the day, they may visit less frequently, but they often seek shade nearby. If you have a birdbath with a mister or a very shallow dripping feature, placing a camera there can yield unique shots of them bathing. This behavior is much rarer to capture than feeding and provides a fascinating look at their grooming habits.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Cuban Emerald.

Bahama Woodstar

The Woodstar has a shorter, more rounded tail and lacks the distinct white spot behind the eye found on the Cuban Emerald.

Bee Hummingbird

The Bee Hummingbird is significantly smaller (the world's smallest bird) and males have a bright red-pink hood, whereas the Cuban Emerald is larger and almost entirely green.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Cuban Emeralds are most active during the early morning (sunrise to 10 AM) and late afternoon (3 PM to sunset) when they feed intensely to maintain their high metabolism.

Plant native red or orange tubular flowers like firebush, hibiscus, or cape honeysuckle. Supplementing these with a clean nectar feeder (4 parts water to 1 part white sugar) will almost certainly attract them if you live within their range.

Their diet consists mainly of nectar from flowers and feeders, providing the sugar needed for energy. They also hunt small insects and spiders, which provide the protein and minerals necessary for their health.

Yes, they are highly adaptable and are very common in suburban gardens, city parks, and agricultural land throughout Cuba and the Bahamas.

Look for the distinct white spot behind the eye and the deeply forked tail. In Cuba, the Bee Hummingbird is much smaller, while in the Bahamas, the Bahama Woodstar has a different tail shape and no white eye-spot.

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