Cynanthus forficatus (Ridgway, 1885)

Scientific Nomenclature

Cozumel emerald is scientifically named Cynanthus forficatus (Ridgway, 1885).

Body Length

Males measure 9 to 10.5 cm (3.5 to 4.1 in) in length, while females measure 8 to 9.1 cm (3.1 to 3.6 in).

Weight

Both males and females weigh approximately 2.5 g (0.088 oz).

Male Bill Structure

Males have a black bill with a red tip.

Male Upperparts Coloration

Their crown is bright golden to golden green, and the rest of their upperparts are a slightly duller golden green.

Male Underparts Coloration

Their underparts are brilliant metallic golden green, with white tibial tufts.

Male Tail Structure

Males have a long, deeply forked tail that is blue-black or black with a blue gloss; the central two or three pairs of tail feathers have dark brownish gray tips.

Female Bill Structure

For females, the maxilla is black and the mandible is red with a black tip.

Female Upperparts Coloration

Female upperparts are bright metallic green to bronze green.

Female Facial Markings

Females have a white stripe behind the eye and blackish cheeks.

Female Underparts Coloration

Their underparts are light gray.

Female Tail Length and Shape

A female's tail is not as long or as deeply forked as a male's.

Female Central Tail Feathers

The central pair of a female's tail feathers are metallic green to blue green.

Female Middle Tail Feathers

The next two pairs share this base color, with a blue-black or black band near the end and white tips.

Female Outermost Tail Feathers

The outermost two pairs have white outer webs at their base, a wide black band near the end, and white tips.

Core Distribution

The Cozumel emerald is essentially found only on Cozumel Island, off the coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula.

Extra-limital Occurrence

There is one known specimen from Isla Mujeres, which is about 90 km (56 mi) north of Cozumel, and the species is thought to occasionally visit this island.

Recorded Habitats

Recorded habitats for the species include "scrub and low deciduous insular forest" and "brushy woodland and scrub, second growth".