In 1880 it was listed without commentary as a synonym of the Cuban emerald (Riccordia ricordii). Not until the 1930s was the unique status of the holotype even recognized, as it was seen as an aberrant specimen of the Cuban emerald that had become a vagrant to New Providence. American ornithologist James Bond was the first to discuss the differences between R. ricordii and R. bracei.
In 1880, this species was listed without any commentary as a synonym of the Cuban emerald (Riccordia ricordii). It wasn't until the 1930s that its unique status as a holotype was recognized, as it was considered an aberrant specimen of the Cuban emerald that had become a vagrant to New Providence. American ornithologist James Bond was the first to point out the differences between R. ricordii and R. bracei.