AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN LCInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Least Concern — widespread and abundant; not at immediate risk of extinction.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Microchera cupreiceps
Coppery-headed Emerald
(Lawrence, 1867)
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A tiny, compact hummingbird endemic to Costa Rica. Males are visually stunning, featuring a highly iridescent coppery-bronze crown, a dark purplish-emerald green body, and a distinctive white postocular spot. The tail is bronze-green with white outer feathers. Females are drastically different, with entirely metallic green upperparts and clean, unmarked grayish-white underparts, maintaining the same small straight black bill.
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Last modified by
Julia Trouin
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Chordata
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Aves
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Caprimulgiformes
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Trochilidae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Microchera
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Lawrence, 1867)
Record Completeness
96%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Stable
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Year Round
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Herbivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
Inhabits the canopy and borders of wet premontane forests, subtropical cloud forests, and adjacent secondary growth along the Caribbean slope. Typically found at elevations between 600 and 1,500 meters, occasionally descending lower during the wet season.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
Active and fast-moving. They forage at low to medium heights inside the forest but will ascend to the canopy for flowering trees. Males are territorial over high-quality nectar clusters, defending them against conspecifics and even slightly larger hummingbirds.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Solitary for most of their lives, typical of hummingbirds. Interaction is strictly limited to brief, aggressive territorial encounters at feeding sites or short courtships during the breeding cycle.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Nectarivore and invertivore.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Feeds heavily on nectar from epiphytes (Ericaceae, Bromeliaceae) and shrubs like Acanthaceae and Rubiaceae. They also consume tiny arthropods, gnats, and spiders caught mid-air or gleaned from leaves as a protein source. Spiders and mantids can occasionally entrap them.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Polygynous. Males perform courtship displays in small leks or solitary perches, flashing their brilliant coppery crowns. The female is solely responsible for building the tiny cup nest out of plant down, tree fern scales, and spider silk, usually placed 1 to 3 meters up on a thin twig. She lays 2 white eggs and cares for the chicks entirely on her own.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
7.5 - 8.2 cm
Weight (Grams)
3 g - 3.5 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.2 - 2
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).Yes
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
1 Years
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
14 - 16
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males3 - 5 Years
Females3 - 5 Years
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
Features a brilliant metallic coppery-bronze crown, dark purplish-green underparts, and white outer tail feathers.
Females Multi-lang
Lacks the coppery crown; possesses a completely metallic green crown and back, with clean, unmarked white underparts.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Possesses a highly specialized hovering flight flight-mechanism supported by rapid wingbeats (up to 80 beats per second), allowing perfect stability while feeding on delicate epiphytic flowers.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Habitat fragmentation and loss of premontane forest due to agricultural expansion (coffee and cattle) and the potential long-term impacts of climate change on mountain cloud regimes.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
Because it is completely endemic to Costa Rica, birdwatchers from all over the world travel to specific reserves like Braulio Carrillo or Rancho Naturalista specifically to catch a glimpse of this single species.