Based on a molecular phylogenetic study published in 2014 and a 2017 publication, the North American Classification Committee of the American Ornithological Society, the International Ornithological Committee (IOC), and the Clements taxonomy moved it to the resurrected genus Riccordia.

Males have a short, slightly decurved, black-tipped bill whose mandible is dull black and the maxilla red.

Its upperparts are dark shining green with a bronze tinge; the crown is darker and duller.

[9] The Cuban emerald is found on the main island of Cuba, the large Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Pines), and several smaller offshore cays.

[10][11] The Cuban emerald forages for nectar at a variety of flowering trees and shrubs, generally staying below about 6 m (20 ft) of the ground.

It also feeds on small insects captured by hawking from a perch and sometimes by gleaning from spider webs.

[9] The Cuban emerald can breed at any time of the year, but is thought to do so in Cuba mainly between April and July.

The male Cuban emerald's high-pitched song is "a rapid rolling series of 'slee' notes and sputtering metallic sounds".