Todus angustirostris
The Narrow-billed Tody (Todus angustirostris) is a strikingly small and vibrant bird, measuring a mere 10-11 cm in length and weighing 5-7 grams. Its diminutive frame is adorned with a brilliant emerald green back, a pristine white belly, and distinctive yellow flanks. A fiery scarlet throat patch stands out, often bordered by iridescent blue-gray, while its namesake features a remarkably long, slender, and narrow bill, crucial for its specialized foraging. This species is an endemic jewel of...
This species primarily inhabits dry broadleaf forests, pine forests, shaded coffee plantations, and areas of scrubby woodland, typically found in mountainous regions and foothills from sea level up to elevations of over 2000 meters. It shows a preference for drier, more open woodlands compared to...
The Narrow-billed Tody feeds almost exclusively on insects, including crickets, beetles, flies, moths, butterflies, and spiders, which it primarily catches by sally-gleaning from foliage. Occasionally, it may also consume small lizards.
The Narrow-billed Tody is a diurnal and highly active insectivore, constantly darting through the undergrowth in search of prey. It employs a distinctive "sally-gleaning" foraging strategy, perching motionlessly on a branch before making short, quick flights to snatch insects from the undersides ...
The Narrow-billed Tody is strictly endemic to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, encompassing both the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Its distribution spans various elevations, from coastal lowlands up to over 2000 meters in the mountainous interior, favoring dry broadleaf forests, pine forests, ...
Least Concern
- Despite its small size, the Narrow-billed Tody excavates nesting burrows that can be over two feet (60 cm) deep. - It is one of only two tody species found on the island of Hispaniola, and its scientific name, *angustirostris*, literally means 'narrow-billed. - This tiny bird has a unique 'beak...