Gould's emerald
Riccordia elegans
Avilumen editorial team ·
Gould's emerald or the Caribbean emerald is an extinct species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It was described based on a single specimen taken in 1860; it is of unknown origin, but the northern Bahamas or especially Jamaica are likely sources.
Gould's emerald (Riccordia elegans) or the Caribbean emerald is an extinct species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It was described based on a single specimen taken in 1860; it is of unknown origin, but the northern Bahamas or especially Jamaica are likely sources.
In 2023 the International Ornithological Committee deleted it from its species list "until, and if, genetic analysis and/or stable isotope analysis sheds further light on its status."
Extinction
Except for the type specimen, there are no records, and it is presumed extinct. While there is no information about the exact cause of extinction, the likely reasons include the loss of habitat or required food plants, and predation by introduced mammals. The holotype is currently located in Natural History Museum at Tring.
Text adapted from Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Plumage colours
Distribution
Taxonomy
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Genus
- Riccordia
- Conservation status
- Extinct
Listen to its call
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Illustration gallery
6 illustrations of Riccordia elegans (Gould's emerald) in different styles, true to its real plumage. Shown watermarked; the art pack includes the high-resolution originals, ready to print.
Watercolor 
Vintage plate 
Ink 
Oil 
Realistic 
Colored pencil
Illustrations based on the photograph by John Gould / Henry Constantine Richter (Public domain), from Wikimedia Commons.
Digital editions
HD Digital Art Pack — Gould's emerald
Digital download: 6 high-resolution illustrations of the Gould's emerald (Riccordia elegans), print-ready. This is a digital file; no animal or physical item is included.
AI Avatar — Gould's emerald
Generate an avatar fusing your face with the Gould's emerald (Riccordia elegans). Delivered digitally in 8K, watermark-free. Digital product; no animals are sold or brokered.
Instant download. No live birds are sold.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Riccordia elegans (Gould's emerald) endangered?
- The IUCN Red List places Riccordia elegans, commonly known as the Gould's emerald, in the «Extinct» category. «Extinct» means no individual is known to remain alive.
- What family does Riccordia elegans (Gould's emerald) belong to?
- Riccordia elegans (Gould's emerald) belongs to the family Trochilidae, in the order Apodiformes.
- What colour is Riccordia elegans (Gould's emerald)?
- The plumage of Riccordia elegans (Gould's emerald) combines these colours: Green.
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