Golden-crowned Emerald

Common name: Golden-crowned Emerald
Scientific name: Cynanthus auriceps
Clades: Trochilini - Emeralds
Endemic to Mexico

The Golden-crowned Emerald is 7.5 to 9.5 cm (3.0 to 3.7 in) long and weighs about 2.2 g (0.078 oz).

This small hummingbird is endemic to western Mexico and has a fork-tailed tail. Mostly found in drier habitats, such as scrubby woodland, forest edges, and flower banks. Feeds at all levels, wagging its tail as it does so. Perching on exposed high twigs is common for males. There is something distinctive about the male; he is fully emerald green (the crown isn't really golden, more of a golden green) with a very long, deep forked blackish tail and a reddish bill. Females have striped faces and reddish bills with black tips. It is similar to the female Broad-billed Hummingbird, though it has a shorter, straighter bill and is much smaller.

Although the Golden-crowned Emerald is now recognized as its own species, it was classified as a subspecies of Cynanthus canivetii (Canivet's Emerald) for much of the 20th century.