Hispaniolan emerald facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hispaniolan emerald |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Riccordia
|
| Species: |
swainsonii
|
 |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Chlorostilbon swainsonii |
|
The Hispaniolan emerald (Riccordia swainsonii) is a beautiful, tiny hummingbird. It is part of a group of hummingbirds known as "emeralds". This special bird lives only on the island of Hispaniola. This island is shared by two countries: the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
Contents
About the Hispaniolan Emerald
How Scientists Name Birds
Scientists group living things to understand them better. This is called taxonomy. The Hispaniolan emerald used to be in a group called Chlorostilbon. But after new studies, scientists decided it fits better in a group called Riccordia. This new name helps show how it's related to other birds.
Family Members
The Hispaniolan emerald has close relatives. These include the Cuban emerald (Riccordia ricordii) and the Puerto Rican emerald (R. maugaeus). Each of these birds is a unique type of emerald hummingbird. The Hispaniolan emerald is a unique species, meaning it does not have different subspecies.
What Does the Hispaniolan Emerald Look Like?
Male Hispaniolan emeralds are about 9.5 to 10.5 centimeters (3.7 to 4.1 inches) long. Females are a bit smaller, around 8.5 to 9.5 centimeters (3.3 to 3.7 inches). These tiny birds weigh between 2.5 and 5 grams (0.09 to 0.18 ounces).
Both male and female emeralds have a small white spot behind each eye. Males have a bill that is red on the bottom part and black on the top. It curves slightly downwards at the end. Their head and cheeks are a dull dark brown. The rest of their upper body and sides are dark green with a bronze shine. Their throat is a bright, shiny green with a big black patch below it. The rest of their underside is a darker green. Their tail is dark brown and deeply forked, like a "V" shape.
Female emeralds have a bill that curves more than the male's. Their head and upper body look similar to the male's. However, their underside is gray, which is darker on their belly. The outer tail feathers have a gray base, a wide dark brown band, and a white tip. The next feathers inward are mostly dark green, turning black at the end. The inner three pairs of tail feathers are green.
Where Do They Live?
The Hispaniolan emerald lives on the island of Hispaniola. This includes both the Dominican Republic and Haiti. They like to live inside and at the edges of thick mountain rainforests. They also live in scrublands and coffee plantations. You can usually find them between 300 and 2500 meters (980 and 8200 feet) above sea level. Sometimes, they are found as low as sea level or even higher than 3000 meters (9800 feet).
Hispaniolan Emerald Behavior
Movement and Travel
Hispaniolan emeralds usually stay in one area. They do not travel long distances. However, they sometimes fly to very high places. They might also move to lower areas after their breeding season.
What Do They Eat?
The Hispaniolan emerald eats nectar from flowers. They fly from one flowering plant to another in a regular path, like following a circuit. They feed on nectar anywhere from 3 to 18 meters (10 to 59 feet) above the ground. Besides nectar, they also eat insects. They catch insects by flying out from a perch, grabbing the insect, and returning to their spot.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
The breeding season for the Hispaniolan emerald is from January to June. Sometimes, it can last until August. The female builds a cup-shaped nest. She uses moss and plant fibers, held together with spiderwebs. She covers the outside with lichen. Nests are often placed in shrubs less than 2 meters (6.6 feet) from the ground. But sometimes, they can be as high as 10 meters (33 feet).
The female lays two eggs. She sits on the eggs to keep them warm for 15 to 16 days. This is called incubation. The young birds leave the nest about 20 to 22 days after they hatch.
What Sounds Do They Make?
The Hispaniolan emerald makes sharp, metallic chipping sounds. Sometimes, they make these sounds in a long series.
Conservation Status
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has listed the Hispaniolan emerald as a species of "Least Concern". This means they are not currently in danger of disappearing. However, we do not know exactly how many of these birds there are or if their numbers are changing.
Even though Hispaniola is a large island, the birds face threats. One big threat is deforestation, especially in Haiti. This is when forests are cut down. But the good news is that the Hispaniolan emerald has been found in at least two protected areas in Haiti. They also seem to be able to live in areas changed by humans, as long as some patches of forest remain.
See also
In Spanish: Esmeralda de La Española para niños
