Todies

Todies are small vibrant birds belonging to the Todidae family, found only in the Caribbean and represented by the living genus Todus and the extinct genus Palaeotodus. These birds were once more widely distributed, as indicated by fossil finds in North America and Europe. Weighing between 5 to 7 grams and measuring 10 to 11.5 centimeters, todies exhibit colorful plumage with green upperparts and varied pale undersides, with red throats in adults of most species. Their flattened bills with serrated edges are adapted for catching insects and small prey like lizards. Todies can be found in the forest understory of the Greater Antilles, each island hosting its unique species, except for Hispaniola which has two. Their diet mainly consists of insects, occasionally complemented by fruit. Todies are territorial but may join mixed-species foraging flocks. They are recognizable by their vocal buzzing calls and a distinct whirring sound from their wings during certain activities. Todies breed in tunnels that they excavate in banks or rotten tree trunks, laying about four white eggs and displaying high parental care by feeding their chicks very frequently. The five extant species exhibit slight variations but share many common traits, showcasing the unique adaptability and ecological niche of todies within the Caribbean's avian community.