Narrow-billed Tody
Todus angustirostris
A small, gemlike species that prefers higher elevation moist woodlands, but also occurs in coffee plantations. The rather large head, long bill, and short tail create a profile shared only by the Broad-billed Tody within its range. Both species have bright green upperparts and a red throat and sides. Note especially the pale eyes of Narrow-billed Tody, as compared to the dark eyes of Broad-billed. Many Broad-billed also have a buff-yellow wash below, which the Narrow-billed lacks. On birds lacking buff below, the Broad-billed can be identified by its all red lower bill, which is black tipped in the Narrow-billed. Further clues to identification include altitude, with this species occurring above 700 meters elevation and the Broad-billed occurring mostly below 700 meters. The Broad-billed also tends to forage higher within woodlands on more open perches. Vocalizations include a buzzy “chik-zhwik” with second note slightly upslurred and a rapid buzzy chatter at about 14 notes per second; compare this with the quick “weep” or “whip” uttered by the Broad-billed.
Identification
All five members of genus Todus are very small, chunky, and short tailed. The narrow-billed tody weighs about 7.5 g (0.26 oz). Its upperparts are bright green, becoming almost emerald around the white eyes. A white malar stripe separates the face from the carmine red chin and throat. The sides of the neck and breast are deep lead gray; the rest of the breast and the belly are white. The flanks are geranium pink to red. The upperside of the wing is bright green and much of the underwing is sulphur yellow. Its maxilla is black and the mandible red, both with darker tips.
Taxonomy
The narrow-billed tody and the other Hispaniolan tody, the broad-billed (T. subulatus), were originally thought to share a recent common ancestor, because the other three todies are each the only one on different islands. However, phylogenetic analysis suggests that the narrow-billed tody descended from the Cuban tody (T. multicolor) and the broad-billed tody descended from the Puerto Rican tody (T. mexicanus). The separation between the lineages occurred two to three million years ago, before either ancestor colonized Hispaniola.
- Scientific name
- Todus angustirostris
- Authority
- Lafresnaye, 1851
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Family
- Todidae
- Genus
- Todus
Range and habitat
The narrow-billed tody is resident on Hispaniola and occurs in both countries of the island. It mostly inhabits dense wet jungle and forest between elevations of 900 and 2,400 m (3,000 and 7,900 ft). It is also found locally at lower elevations, where it overlaps the distribution of the broad-billed tody.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The narrow-billed tody's diet is almost entirely insects; at least 49 families of them have been identified. Curiously, they do not prey on larger butterflies or caterpillars, which are part of the broad-billed tody's diet. The narrow-billed tody tends to forage high in the forest canopy, especially when part of a mixed-species foraging flock. They also feed low down among coffee bushes in plantations.<p>The narrow-billed tody makes display flights without vocalizations, in a manner similar to those of others of its order, but includes wing rattling that others do not. Both sexes excavate a nest burrow about 30 cm (12 in) deep in an earthen bank. The clutch size ranges from one to four glossy white eggs. Usually one clutch is laid per season, between April and July. Both sexes incubate the eggs. Pairs separate after the young fledge and do not necessarily mate with each other the next year.<p>A characteristic narrow-billed tody vocalization is "a two note call, described as chip-chee, accented on the second syllable." They also make a short chatter.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Wilson's Warbler
Cardellina pusilla
Small, active, bright yellow warbler. Most birds (adults of both sexes and young males) have a black cap; young females lack this feature. Also note the rather long, narrow tail that is actively flipped around while foraging. Extensive breeding range across northern and western North America; more common in the west than east. Prefers dense thickets, especially with willows and alders. Winters primarily in Mexico, extending as far south as Panama. Migrants and wintering birds are found in any brushy wooded habitat. Listen for husky chip notes. Compare with Yellow Warbler, but note Wilson’s is smaller, smaller-billed, and has a relatively longer, thinner tail.
Visayan Shama
Copsychus superciliaris
A medium-sized, long-tailed bird of lowland and foothill forest in the western Visayas. Black on the upperparts and tail, with a white belly and pale pink legs. Male has a black throat and chest. Female has a rufous patch on the rump and lower back, and a white throat with a black breast band. Somewhat similar to Philippine Magpie-Robin, but has a long white eyebrow and no white wing patch. Heard more often than seen. Gives a very varied song, with loud melodic whistles, warbling trills, and repeated loud “chew chew chew!” notes.
White-eared Tailorbird
Orthotomus cinereiceps
A small, long-billed, long-tailed bird of dense undergrowth in lowland and foothill forest in western Mindanao and Basilan. Olive-green on the back and wings, with an olive-brown tail often held cocked, a pale gray belly, a black hood and chest, and a white ear-spot. Female has a white throat patch. Similar to Rufous-fronted Tailorbird, especially from behind, but has a black hood and white ear-spot. Voice includes monotonous piping notes given in series, a short phrase “pu piiiiiiiii pit,” and a rapid whistled or nasal trill.
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