Birds Active during the day

Cozumel Emerald

Cynanthus forficatus

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

An island treasure found only on Cozumel, this shimmering emerald hummingbird is famous for the male's dramatic, deeply forked tail.

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Quick Identification

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Size

8-10 cm (3.1-3.9 in) in length; weight approximately 2.3-3.5g

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Colors

Males are metallic golden-green with a blue-tinged throat and a black, deeply forked tail. Females have grayish-white underparts and white tips on their outer tail feathers.

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Key Features

Extremely long, deeply forked black tail (males)
Shimmering emerald green plumage
Slender, slightly decurved bill
Endemic exclusively to Cozumel Island

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 7-10 AM, 3-6 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Primary diet consists of nectar from native flowering plants; also consumes small spiders and flying insects for essential protein.

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Habitat Tropical evergreen forest, deciduous forest edge, scrubland, and suburban gardens.

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Where Does the Cozumel Emerald Live?

Native to North America, the Cozumel Emerald is a true island specialist. It is found exclusively on Cozumel Island, which sits just off the coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula in the Caribbean Sea. Because its entire global population is confined to this single island, it is one of the most geographically restricted bird species in the region.

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1 Countries

480 km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

MX Mexico

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Cozumel Emerald is a high-energy, territorial bird that dominates the flowering patches of its island home. Like most hummingbirds, it spends a significant portion of its day in a cycle of rapid-fire foraging followed by periods of perching to digest and defend its territory. Males are particularly bold, often seen performing aerial displays or chasing away rivals from prime nectar sources.

In backyard settings, they are curious and can become quite accustomed to human presence, especially if consistent food sources like feeders or native flowers are available. They are solitary outside of the breeding season, though several may congregate peacefully near a particularly abundant food source, provided there is enough space to maintain a 'buffer zone.'

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Camera Tips

To capture the stunning iridescent green of the Cozumel Emerald, camera placement is everything. Position your AI-powered camera within 3 to 5 feet of a nectar-rich food source, such as a hummingbird feeder or native flowering bushes like Firebush (Hamelia patens). Because these birds are incredibly fast, ensure your camera is set to its highest possible shutter speed or 'Sports' mode to freeze the motion of their wings, which can beat up to 80 times per second.

Angle is crucial for hummingbirds; try to position the camera so the sun is behind you or hitting the bird from the side. This lighting setup allows the metallic feathers to catch the light and 'glow' on film. Avoid placing the camera where it faces directly into a bright sky, as this will result in a dark silhouette rather than a colorful portrait. Aim the lens at a height of 4 to 5 feet, which is the typical hovering height for foraging.

If you want to capture more than just a blur of green, set up a 'perch' near the feeder—a thin, bare twig or a specialized hummingbird swing. These birds love to survey their territory from a high-visibility spot between feedings. If your camera has a 'pre-roll' or high-speed trigger function, enable it, as the time between a hummingbird appearing and disappearing can be less than a second. In Cozumel's tropical environment, keep your lens clean of salt spray or humidity fogging for the clearest images.

Similar Species

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

Canivet's Emerald

Found on the mainland; has a shorter tail and slightly different shade of green.

Broad-billed Hummingbird

Larger with a bright red bill and a less deeply forked tail.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Cozumel Emeralds are most active during the early morning and late afternoon, specifically from 7-10 AM and 3-6 PM, when nectar production in flowers is often at its peak.

Plant native nectar-producing flowers like firebush or hibiscus, and maintain a clean hummingbird feeder with a simple 4:1 water-to-sugar ratio. Providing a shallow water mister or fountain can also attract them for bathing.

Their diet is primarily nectar for energy, but they also hunt small gnats, flies, and spiders to get the protein and minerals they need for survival and breeding.

Yes, they are quite adaptable and are frequently seen in the gardens and hotel grounds of San Miguel de Cozumel, as long as there are plenty of flowers available.

While similar, the Cozumel Emerald is found only on Cozumel Island, and the male has a significantly longer and more deeply forked tail compared to the Canivet's Emerald found on the mainland.

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