Cuban Tody
Todus multicolor
A small, gemlike, woodland species that is usually found in pairs. The rather large head, long bill, and short tail create a unique profile. Also note its shimmering green upperparts and red throat and sides. No similar species occur within its range. It usually hunts from low-to-middle level perches, sitting nearly still before leaping upwards to snatch prey from twigs and leaves. Vocalizations include a loud “chuk, chuk, chuk, chuk,” uttered at a rate of about seven to ten notes per second, with each burst consisting of one to ten notes; bursts often come in rapid succession.
Identification
The species is characterized by small size with a length of 1.1 in (28 mm) and weighing 5.9 g (0.21 oz). It has a large head relative to body size, and a thin, flat bill. Similar to other todies, the coloration of the Cuban Tody includes an iridescent green dorsum, pale whitish-grey underparts, and red highlights. This species is distinguished by its pink flanks, red throat, yellow lores, and blue ear-patch. The bill is bicolored: black on the top and red on the bottom.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Todus multicolor
- Authority
- Gould, 1837
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Family
- Todidae
- Genus
- Todus
Range and habitat
The Cuban tody is a year-round resident of only portions of Cuba and the islands just off the Cuban coast. Analysis of song variation suggests that the species is structured into two populations, corresponding to eastern and western Cuba.<p>The tody, like many resident Cuban bird species, is a habitat generalist. It is known to live in dry lowlands, evergreen forests, coastal vegetation, and near streams and rivers. Cuban toadies may be difficult to see; Vaurie reported, "Only one seen at the Cape, in dense underbrush, but several heard."
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
They often are seen in pairs. When perched, they sometimes repeat a peculiar short "tot-tot-tot-tot", but their most characteristic call is a soft "pprreeee-pprreeee" (which is the origin of its Cuban common name, 'Pedorrera'). Its wings produce a whirring sound that is used during display flights.<p>Nests consist of a tunnel about 30 cm (12 in) long in a clay embankment, with a terminal chamber, although sometimes they use a rotten trunk or tree cavity. They cover the walls of the tunnel and the egg chamber with a thick glue-like substance mixed with grass, lichen, algae, small feathers, and other materials. Three or four eggs are laid and they are incubated by both parents.<p>The diet of the Cuban tody is dominated by insects, but also may include small fruits, small lizards, and spiders. Although the ecology of these birds has been little-studied, they are known to participate in mixed-species flocks. They are also prey used as food items: predators include both the mongoose and humans in poor areas.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Rufous-vented Grass Babbler
Laticilla burnesii
Specialized, slender prinia-like babbler. Restricted to lowland grassy riverine plains, where it typically stays low in the vegetation in small flocks, flushing only reluctantly. If seen, note very long tail, white throat, and streaking all over the body. Shy and difficult to see; more readily detected by its bubby, warbling song.
Bridled Tern
Onychoprion anaethetus
Tropical tern with gray back, black cap, and white forehead. Nonbreeding and immatures have a messy dark nape. Most similar to Sooty Tern but paler gray above with more extensive white tail edges, paler undersides of flight feathers, as well as longer and more slender eyebrow. Also compare with the paler Gray-backed Tern. Bridled Tern is found in warm tropical waters worldwide. It breeds on islands, usually concealed by a large rock or bush. Otherwise, usually stays far offshore, often seen perching on floating wood or debris. Rarely seen near land except when blown off course by a hurricane.
Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk
Aviceda madagascariensis
Rather nondescript, brown mid-sized raptor. Endemic to Madagascar, where it is found in and around all forest types. Sometimes soars. Extremely similar to Madagascar Buzzard. In flight, Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk is distinguished by the heavy barring across the whole underwing and by the fewer thicker dark bars on the tail. When perched, look for the small, round head with a bulging eye. Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk also usually shows a heavily barred chest and white belly, whereas Madagascar Buzzard shows the opposite.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.