Narrow-billed Tody in Los Haitises: Differences, Habitat and Identification Tips

The Narrow-billed Tody (Todus angustirostris) is one of Hispaniola's most distinctive small birds. It has bright green upperparts, a red throat, pale underparts and a noticeably narrow bill. Although it is commonly associated with the humid mountain forests of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, this endemic bird is also recorded in the Los Haitises region and on the Samaná Peninsula.

For visitors exploring Los Haitises National Park, the Narrow-billed Tody is an interesting species to learn about because it has a different habitat preference from its close relative, the Broad-billed Tody. The two birds can look similar at first, but their bill shape, eye color, plumage details and preferred environments provide useful identification clues.

Known locally as the Chi-cui, the Narrow-billed Tody is also an active insect hunter. It moves through vegetation searching for small prey and can be recognized by its characteristic calls.

This guide explains how to identify the Narrow-billed Tody, where it lives, how it feeds, how it differs from the Broad-billed Tody and what visitors should know before looking for it in Los Haitises.

1. What Is the Narrow-billed Tody?

The Narrow-billed Tody belongs to the family Todidae, a distinctive Caribbean bird family. Its scientific name is Todus angustirostris.

It is endemic to Hispaniola, the island shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Unlike many birds that occur across several continents, the Narrow-billed Tody has a naturally restricted distribution.

Hispaniola is particularly interesting because it supports two tody species:

• Narrow-billed Tody (Todus angustirostris)
• Broad-billed Tody (Todus subulatus)

Both species have green upperparts and red throats, but they differ in several physical and ecological characteristics.

The Narrow-billed Tody is generally associated with humid forests at higher elevations. However, it is not limited entirely to mountain habitats. Historical research and regional bird records document its occurrence in some lower-elevation areas, including parts of the Samaná region.

Its inclusion in the Los Haitises National Park bird checklist makes it relevant to the park's birdlife.

2. Why Is It Called the Narrow-billed Tody?

The bird's name comes from one of its most noticeable identification features: its relatively narrow bill.

Compared with the Broad-billed Tody, its bill looks slimmer and less flattened. This difference is useful when identifying the two species.

The bill is adapted for capturing small insects and other invertebrates. The bird uses it while searching among leaves, branches and other vegetation.

The name is especially helpful because the two todies can look very similar when observed briefly.

However, bill shape should not be the only feature used for identification. Habitat, eye color, underpart coloration and vocalizations can provide additional clues.

3. How to Identify the Narrow-billed Tody

The Narrow-billed Tody is a small, compact bird, usually around 11 centimeters long.

Its most recognizable features include:

• Darker green upperparts.
• Bright red throat.
• Grayish-white underparts.
• Pale yellow coloration around the lower belly.
• Pinkish feathers along the sides.
• Narrow, dark-looking bill.
• Pale or light-colored irises.

Its overall appearance is similar to that of the Broad-billed Tody, but the details become easier to recognize with a good view.

Important identification features

The bill: The Narrow-billed Tody has a slimmer bill than its relative.

The eyes: Its pale irises are a useful field mark, particularly when compared with the brown eyes of the Broad-billed Tody.

The underparts: Its breast and belly generally appear pale, with grayish tones around the breast.

The green plumage: Its upperparts often look darker and more forest-green than those of the Broad-billed Tody.

The red throat: Both species have a red throat, so this feature alone cannot confirm the identification.

Because the bird is small and active, visitors may not always get a clear view of every feature. A combination of appearance, sound and habitat is more reliable than a single visual clue.

4. Where Does the Narrow-billed Tody Live?

The Narrow-billed Tody is mainly associated with humid montane forests on Hispaniola.

Its habitats include:

• Moist mountain forests.
• Cloud forests.
• Pine forests.
• Dense secondary woodland.
• Forest edges.
• Humid ravines.
• Some lower-elevation wooded habitats.

It is commonly found at higher elevations than the Broad-billed Tody. Species references report a broad elevational range, with many observations concentrated in mountain environments.

However, the species' distribution is not restricted to high mountain slopes.

Historical research documented areas of overlap between the two todies, including the Samaná Peninsula. The researchers also reported that the Narrow-billed Tody occurred in mangroves and wet forest on the peninsula.

This is particularly interesting for Los Haitises because it demonstrates that the region's birdlife cannot always be understood through simple rules such as mountain species versus lowland species.

Different habitats and local conditions can influence where a bird occurs.

5. Is the Narrow-billed Tody Found in Los Haitises?

Yes. The Narrow-billed Tody is included in the Avibase bird checklist for Los Haitises National Park.

This checklist is a regional compilation of bird records and identifies both Hispaniolan tody species:

• Broad-billed Tody (Todus subulatus)
• Narrow-billed Tody (Todus angustirostris)

The historical ecological research on Hispaniola also reports that the two species can overlap on the Samaná Peninsula.

This makes the Narrow-billed Tody an interesting bird for visitors studying the park's biodiversity.

However, there is an important distinction between a species being recorded in a region and being easy to observe there.

The Narrow-billed Tody is more strongly associated with humid mountain habitats. It may be less predictable in lowland visitor areas than the Broad-billed Tody.

A visitor should therefore treat it as a possible regional sighting rather than an expected attraction on every Los Haitises excursion.

6. What Does the Narrow-billed Tody Eat?

The Narrow-billed Tody is primarily an insectivore.

It feeds on small insects and other invertebrates that it finds among leaves, branches and vegetation.

Reported food items include:

• Caterpillars.
• Beetles.
• Small flying insects.
• Other soft-bodied invertebrates.
• Some small fruits.

BirdsCaribbean has highlighted the species' varied diet, including observations of individuals eating different kinds of fruits as well as insects.

Although insects are an important part of its diet, the bird should not be described as feeding exclusively on insects.

Its feeding habits can change depending on the availability of food in its environment.

This flexible diet helps explain how the species can use different wooded habitats across Hispaniola.

7. How Does the Narrow-billed Tody Hunt?

The Narrow-billed Tody is an active hunter that searches for prey in vegetation.

It commonly uses a perch to observe nearby leaves and branches before making short movements to capture food.

This type of feeding is often called sallying or sally-striking, depending on the exact movement involved.

The bird may also pick small prey directly from vegetation.

A scientific study by Steven C. Latta and Joseph M. Wunderle examined the ecological relationships of the Broad-billed and Narrow-billed Todies in the Dominican Republic.

The researchers found that the Narrow-billed Tody was more active than the Broad-billed Tody in their study areas, with differences in movement and feeding rates.

They also observed that the two species used different microhabitats when feeding alone, even when they occupied the same general environment.

This research helps explain how closely related birds can coexist without using exactly the same feeding spaces.

8. What Does the Chi-cui Call Sound Like?

The Narrow-billed Tody is locally known as the Chi-cui, a name associated with its characteristic vocalization.

Its calls are useful for locating the bird when vegetation makes visual observation difficult.

The sound is often described as a short, raspy or sharp sequence of notes. Birdwatchers familiar with the species may recognize it before seeing the bird.

Listening is especially useful in dense forest environments where the bird may remain hidden among leaves.

When visiting Los Haitises, try to:

• Pause and listen before moving through wooded areas.
• Pay attention to repeated short calls.
• Observe nearby branches after hearing a call.
• Avoid making loud noises that may mask bird sounds.
• Use binoculars once you locate movement.

Visitors should not play recorded calls to attract the species. Playback can disturb birds, particularly when they are nesting or defending a territory.

9. How Is the Narrow-billed Tody Different From the Broad-billed Tody?

The two Hispaniolan todies are closely related, but there are several useful differences.

Identification featureNarrow-billed TodyBroad-billed TodyScientific nameTodus angustirostrisTodus subulatusBillNarrowerBroaderEye colorPale irisBrown irisUpperpartsOften darker greenOften brighter greenUnderpartsGenerally grayish-whiteMore grayish with yellowish and pinkish tonesMain habitat preferenceHumid montane forestsLowland and varied woodland habitatsFeeding activityMore active in the comparative studyLess active in the comparative studyLocal Dominican nameChi-cuiBarrancolí

These differences are useful field guidelines rather than absolute rules.

The two species can overlap geographically, especially in parts of the Samaná Peninsula and other transitional environments.

When identifying a tody, consider several features together rather than relying only on its bill.

10. How Does the Narrow-billed Tody Nest?

Like other todies, the Narrow-billed Tody is known for excavating a nesting burrow in an earthen bank.

Instead of building an open nest among tree branches, it creates a narrow tunnel leading to a protected nesting chamber.

The bird uses its bill and feet to remove soil and shape the burrow.

Suitable nesting locations need appropriate soil conditions. The bank must allow excavation while remaining stable enough to support the tunnel.

The nesting method is different from that of the Hispaniolan Woodpecker, which excavates cavities in trees.

This comparison shows that birds in the same broad forest ecosystem can use very different nesting resources.

Visitors should never touch, block or dig into a suspected tody burrow. Disturbance around an active nest can affect the birds and their young.

11. Why Can the Two Tody Species Live in the Same Region?

The Broad-billed and Narrow-billed Todies provide an interesting example of how similar species can coexist.

They share some food resources and have similar general feeding methods. However, they often differ in their preferred habitats and the parts of vegetation they use.

The 1996 study by Latta and Wunderle found that solitary birds of the two species occupied distinct microhabitats in the areas they examined.

The Broad-billed Tody tended to forage higher in vegetation and in more outward horizontal positions with lower foliage density.

The Narrow-billed Tody was more active and used different feeding positions.

When the birds joined mixed-species flocks in pine forests, some of their feeding behaviors changed.

This research suggests that habitat use and social behavior can influence how the two species share an environment.

For visitors, it offers a fascinating insight into the ecological complexity of Hispaniola's forests.

12. Is the Narrow-billed Tody Endangered?

The Narrow-billed Tody is a bird with a restricted natural distribution because it is endemic to Hispaniola.

It is commonly listed as Least Concern in species reference databases. However, a conservation category should not be interpreted as proof that every local population is stable.

Forest degradation and the loss of suitable humid woodland can affect the habitats on which the species depends.

Its concentration in particular types of forest also makes habitat protection important.

Conservation efforts should maintain natural vegetation, protect nesting areas and avoid unnecessary disturbance in forest environments.

For Los Haitises, preserving the park's range of natural habitats helps protect the many birds that use the region, including species with more specialized habitat preferences.

13. Where Should Birdwatchers Look for the Narrow-billed Tody?

Visitors interested in the Narrow-billed Tody should understand that it is not equally common in every habitat.

In Hispaniola, it is strongly associated with humid mountain forests. However, historical observations document its presence in parts of the Samaná Peninsula and Los Haitises region.

When looking for it, consider:

• Dense vegetation.
• Humid wooded areas.
• Forest edges.
• Shaded branches.
• Areas with natural insect activity.
• Quiet locations where bird calls can be heard.

A knowledgeable local guide can help explain which habitats are suitable and whether there have been recent observations.

Do not expect every excursion to produce a sighting. Wildlife observation is unpredictable, particularly for small birds that move quickly through dense vegetation.

14. Responsible Birdwatching in Los Haitises

Birdwatching should help visitors appreciate nature without disturbing it.

Small birds such as the Narrow-billed Tody may be sensitive to close approaches, especially near nesting areas.

Follow these simple practices:

1. Stay on permitted visitor routes.
2. Keep a respectful distance from birds.
3. Avoid loud conversations near wildlife.
4. Never touch or disturb nesting burrows.
5. Do not remove branches or vegetation.
6. Avoid using recorded calls to attract birds.
7. Use binoculars instead of approaching too closely.
8. Follow local guide instructions and park rules.

Responsible observation protects the birds and helps preserve the quality of the experience for future visitors.

15. Why the Narrow-billed Tody Matters to Los Haitises

The Narrow-billed Tody is more than a small, colorful bird. It represents an important part of Hispaniola's unique biodiversity.

Its presence in regional bird records demonstrates the ecological variety of the Samaná Peninsula and Los Haitises.

It also provides a useful example of how related species can develop different habitat preferences and feeding behaviors.

The contrast between the Narrow-billed and Broad-billed Todies helps visitors understand that forests are not uniform environments. Small differences in vegetation, elevation, moisture and food availability can influence which species live in a particular place.

For nature enthusiasts visiting from Sabana de la Mar, learning about this bird can add a deeper wildlife perspective to an excursion.

The famous caves and mangrove waterways may attract the first attention, but the smaller birds help tell the wider ecological story of Los Haitises.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scientific name of the Narrow-billed Tody?

Its scientific name is Todus angustirostris.

Is the Narrow-billed Tody endemic to the Dominican Republic?

It is endemic to Hispaniola, the island shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

What is the local name of the Narrow-billed Tody?

It is commonly called the Chi-cui in the Dominican Republic.

Is the Narrow-billed Tody found in Los Haitises?

Yes. It appears in the Los Haitises National Park bird checklist, and historical research documents the species in the Samaná Peninsula region.

How can I distinguish the Narrow-billed Tody from the Broad-billed Tody?

Look for the narrower bill, pale iris and darker green appearance of the Narrow-billed Tody. The Broad-billed Tody generally has a broader bill and brown eyes.

What does the Narrow-billed Tody eat?

It mainly eats insects and other small invertebrates. It has also been observed consuming some fruits.

Does the Narrow-billed Tody live in mountain forests?

Yes. It is primarily associated with humid montane forests, cloud forests and pine forests, although it also occurs in some lower-elevation habitats.

How does the Narrow-billed Tody build its nest?

It excavates a narrow burrow in an earthen bank, creating a protected nesting chamber.

Is the Narrow-billed Tody endangered?

It is commonly listed as Least Concern in species references. However, habitat protection remains important because its natural distribution is restricted to Hispaniola.

Can I see the Narrow-billed Tody during a Los Haitises tour?

The species is included in the regional bird checklist, but sightings are not guaranteed. Its habitat preferences and small size can make observation difficult.

Discover the Endemic Birds of Los Haitises

The Narrow-billed Tody is a fascinating example of Hispaniola's unique birdlife. Its narrow bill, pale eyes, active feeding behavior and preference for humid forests distinguish it from the more familiar Broad-billed Tody.

For visitors exploring Los Haitises National Park, learning about both species makes the region's birdlife even more interesting.

If you are planning a nature excursion from Sabana de la Mar, take time to appreciate the smaller birds as well as the park's mangroves, limestone formations and caves.

Observe responsibly, follow local guidance and help protect the habitats that make Los Haitises an important destination for nature enthusiasts.

Discover the natural diversity of Los Haitises and the remarkable endemic wildlife of the Dominican Republic.