The narrow-billed tody is a species of bird in the family Todidae. It is one of two Todus species endemic to Hispaniola, a Caribbean island shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
Region
Greater Antilles
Typical Environment
Endemic to the island of Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti), primarily in humid foothill and montane forests. It favors dense, shaded understory in broadleaf forest, ravines, and forest edges, and also occurs in shade-coffee plantations and secondary growth. Occasional in mixed pine–broadleaf mosaics where understory is well developed. Generally more associated with moist uplands than low, dry habitats.
Altitude Range
100–2000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This tiny insect-eater is one of two tody species found only on Hispaniola. It nests in tunnels excavated by both sexes in earthen banks, an unusual strategy for a small forest bird. Narrow-billed todies often sit motionless before darting out to snatch prey, then beat it against a perch. They are surprisingly confiding, allowing close approach in shaded forest understory.
Temperament
confiding but territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with darting sallies
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs that maintain small territories year-round. Both sexes excavate a horizontal burrow in an earthen bank where they nest, typically laying a small clutch and sharing incubation and chick-feeding duties. Pairs often perch low and make frequent short sallies for prey.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives sharp metallic ticks and dry rattles, often in short series from a shaded perch. Also produces soft trills and chatters during pair interactions. Wing noise can add a faint whirr during close fly-outs.
Plumage
Bright green upperparts with a vivid red throat bordered by a fine white malar line; underparts whitish with a buff wash on the flanks. Tiny tail, short rounded wings, and a notably narrow, slightly decurved bill. Subtle bluish or turquoise edging may show on the sides and wings in good light.
Diet
Primarily small insects such as beetles, flies, and orthopterans, along with spiders. It hunts by sallying from low perches to snatch prey from the air or by hovering to glean from leaf surfaces. Prey is often beaten against a perch before being swallowed. It may take small caterpillars and other arthropods concealed on the undersides of leaves.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in shaded understory of moist forests, forest edges, ravines, and along streamside thickets. Also uses shade-coffee plantations and regenerating secondary growth where cover is dense.
