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.

[5] The Puerto Rican emerald forages for nectar from wide variety flowering plants and trees.

In addition to nectar, it feeds on small arthropods by gleaning from leaves and branches; its diet includes flies, Homoptera, Hymenoptera, and spiders.

[5] The Puerto Rican emerald's peak breeding season spans from February to May but some nesting occurs at any time of year.

The nest is a small cup of dry plant fibers lined with softer material and covered with lichen.

[5] The IUCN has assessed the Puerto Rican emerald as being of Least Concern, though its population size and trend are not known.

[1] It is considered generally common throughout its large island and accepts human-made landscapes like plantations, gardens, and parks.