Order
Coraciiformes
Family
Todidae
Genus
Todus
 
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Version 1.0

This is a historic version of this account.  Current version

SPECIES

Cuban Tody Todus multicolor

Andrew Farnsworth
Version: 1.0 — Published July 12, 2009

Appearance

Distinguishing Characteristics

A small, colorful bird, somewhat reminiscent of a kingfishers, with brilliant green head, backs, and wings, red throat and pink flanks.  This species is found commonly through Cuba, including offshore cays and islands, in a variety of habitats.  Individuals may often be quite tame and approachable; additionally, Cuban Tody vocalizes constantly, a ubiquitous component of the acoustic scene in many habitats across the isalnd.

Holguin, Cuba April 2008 © Lev Frid Holguin, Cuba April 2008 © Lev Frid

Holguin, Cuba April 2008 © Lev Frid Holguin, Cuba April 2008 © Lev Frid

Similar Species

The only tody found on Cuba, unlikely to be confused with any other species.

Detailed Description

Camaguey, February 2009 © Carol S FoilA small bird with a distinctly big-headed appearance (typical of the entire genus), accentuated by a large flat bill (ML 39567).  The most brightly colored of the genus.  Bright green upperparts with gleaming yellowish-green supercilia (ML 39149).  Bright yellow lores with a sky blue auricular patch.  Blue carpal area, possibly more prominent in males, is in striking contrast to pink or pinkish flanks, white or whitish belly, and bright yellow crissum.  Sexes are similar.  A review of banding records (Pyle et al. 2004) shows that iris color in this species is variable, with recaptures showing retention of blue, brown, or grayish iris color over long periods of time.Camaguey, February 2009 © Carol S FoilJuvenile pluamge is much duller with whites replaced by grayish plumage and generally dull greens and yellows replacing any bright coloration.  Juveniles have dull grayish or horn-colored legs and lack red feathering in the throat, although these may appear very early, perhaps when birds are still in the nest (Pyle et al. 2004).  Iris color changed in some juveniles from grayish to browner as plumage changed.

Molts

Available data come from Pyle et al. (2004), sampling 323 individuals, 730 captures, and 67 specimens (National Musem of Natural History, Washington, DC).  Prebasic molt (complete in after hatch-year birds and partial in hatch year birds) apparently takes place during July–early December.  Variation in the fullness and color (red vs. tinged orange) of the throat patch and amount and brightness of the yellow in the lores and forehead seems to vary slightly by sex, with females duller on average, but this would be difficult to use in sexing, except perhaps with mated pairs.

Bare Parts

Maxilla usually black, possibly showing flesh or orange color at tip; mandible usually orange or pinkish-orange (ML 39339).  Feet and legs black or blackish-gray.  It is possible that leg color may also vary by sex but more study is needed to determine this (Pyle et al 2004.).

Measurements

5.9 grams (range 4.3-8.5, N=265; Arendt et al 2004).  Wingspan, approximately 10.5-11 cm.  Wing chord (Pyle et al. 2004): males (N = 15), 39–45 mm, females (N = 15), 40–44 mm.

Recommended Citation

Farnsworth, A. (2009). Cuban Tody (Todus multicolor), version 1.0. In Neotropical Birds Online (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/nb.cubtod1.01