Birds Active during the day

Puerto Rican Emerald

Riccordia maugaeus

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

The Puerto Rican Emerald is a living gemstone found only on the 'Island of Enchantment.' This tiny endemic hummingbird dazzles with its metallic green plumage and fearless personality.

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Quick Identification

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Size

9–10 cm (3.5–4 in) long; wingspan approx. 12 cm (4.7 in); weight 2.8–3.5 g (0.1–0.12 oz)

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Colors

Males are iridescent emerald green with a dark, blue-black forked tail. Females are green above and greyish-white below with white-tipped outer tail feathers.

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Key Features

Deeply forked dark tail in males
Brilliant iridescent green plumage
Small, slightly decurved black bill
White spot behind the eye

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 Mainly nectar from native and ornamental flowers; also consumes small insects and spiders for protein.

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Habitat Widespread across forests, coffee plantations, coastal scrub, and suburban gardens.

Behavior

The Puerto Rican Emerald is a highly energetic and territorial hummingbird known for its rapid, darting flight. Like many members of its tribe, it practices 'trap-lining,' which involves following a regular route to visit specific flowers throughout the day. They are fiercely protective of their nectar sources and will boldly chase away larger birds or rival hummingbirds that enter their feeding territory.

While they are solitary and do not form flocks, they have adapted remarkably well to human environments. They are a common sight in backyard gardens where they can be observed hovering with precision or performing 'shuttle displays'—side-to-side flights used during courtship or territorial defense. Their high-pitched, metallic chirps are often heard before the bird is actually seen.

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Camera Tips

To capture the stunning iridescence of the Puerto Rican Emerald, camera placement is everything. Position your AI-powered camera within 2 to 4 feet of a known nectar source, such as a hummingbird feeder or a cluster of red tubular flowers like Firebush (Hamelia patens). Ensure the sun is behind the camera lens; direct sunlight hitting the bird's feathers is required to trigger the structural coloration that makes them appear emerald green rather than dull black.

Because these birds move with incredible speed, use a camera with a high trigger speed or set your device to 'Sports' or 'Action' mode. If your camera supports video, high frame rate (60fps or higher) is ideal for capturing the blur of their wings, which can beat over 50 times per second. Avoid placing cameras in deep shade, as the sensor may struggle to focus on such a small, fast-moving target in low light.

For the best backyard results, provide a perching twig near your feeder. Puerto Rican Emeralds often sit for a few moments to scan for rivals before and after feeding, providing the perfect opportunity for a still shot. Keeping your feeders clean and filled with a simple 4:1 water-to-sugar ratio will ensure daily visits, especially during the peak breeding season between February and May when they are most active.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Puerto Rican Emerald.

Antillean Crested Hummingbird

Look for a prominent pointed crest on the head; the Emerald has a smooth, rounded head.

Green Mango

The Green Mango is significantly larger with a more robust, curved bill and lacks the Emerald's deeply forked tail.

Green-throated Carib

Much larger than the Emerald with a heavy, down-curved bill and distinct blue-green throat patch.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Puerto Rican Emeralds are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, usually between 6-10 AM and 3-6 PM, when nectar production in flowers is at its peak.

You can attract them by planting native flowers with red or orange tubular shapes, such as Firebush or Hibiscus, and by maintaining a clean sugar-water feeder.

They primarily feed on nectar for sugar/energy and hunt tiny insects and spiders in mid-air or off leaves to get necessary protein.

Yes, they are very adaptable and are frequently seen in urban parks, suburban gardens, and around homes throughout Puerto Rico.

The male is uniquely all-green with a deeply forked tail. It is smaller than the Green Mango and lacks the crest found on the Antillean Crested Hummingbird.

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