Todies
Todies
Todidae
Tiny, Jewel-Like Hunters: Todies (Todidae) are a small family of brilliantly colored, insect-eating birds found only in the Caribbean. With their dazzling green backs, bright red throats, and tiny size, they resemble miniature kingfishers. Despite their small stature, todies are fierce hunters, using their flattened bills to snap up insects mid-air or pluck them from leaves. Five species exist, each endemic to a different island or region. The Jamaican Tody (Todus todus) and the Cuban Tody (Todus multicolor) are among the most well-known, often found flitting through dense undergrowth, where they move with rapid, jerky motions. Their high-pitched calls, which sound like soft buzzing or mechanical trills, add to their charm. Todies are cavity nesters, digging small burrows into dirt banks where they raise their young. Though generally common, habitat destruction threatens some species by reducing available nesting sites. Their bright colors, insect-hunting skills, and quirky movements make todies some of the most captivating birds of the Caribbean.