Todus todus
The Jamaican Tody, *Todus todus*, is a diminutive and striking avian gem, endemic to the island of Jamaica. Averaging a mere 10-11.5 cm (4-4.5 inches) in length and weighing just 5-7 grams (0.18-0.25 oz), this vibrant bird is instantly recognizable by its brilliant emerald-green back, head, and wings, contrasting sharply with its pristine white to pale grey underparts. A dazzling ruby-red gular patch, often bordered by a narrow white or bluish-white stripe, adorns its throat, earning it the l...
This species thrives across a variety of woodland habitats, including moist limestone forests, dry scrub, secondary growth, shaded coffee plantations, and even well-vegetated gardens, from sea level up to approximately 1,200 meters (4,000 feet) in elevation.
Exclusively insectivorous, the Jamaican Tody feeds predominantly on a wide array of insects, including grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, flies, moths, and spiders, occasionally supplementing its diet with small lizards.
The Jamaican Tody is a diurnal bird, typically observed alone or in pairs, often perched motionless on a low branch, subtly bobbing its head. Its primary foraging strategy involves swift, darting flights (sallying) to snatch insects from the air or gleaning them directly from the undersides of le...
The Jamaican Tody is strictly endemic to the island of Jamaica, where it is a widespread and common resident throughout all parishes. Its distribution spans from coastal lowlands to the high-elevation mountain forests, including iconic regions such as the Blue Mountains and the rugged Cockpit Cou...
Least Concern
- Known locally as the 'Robin Redbreast' due to its bright red throat. - It is one of only five species in the Todidae family, all of which are endemic to the Greater Antilles. - Despite its vibrant plumage, its habit of remaining motionless in dense foliage makes it surprisingly difficult to spo...