Hispaniolan Tody in Los Haitises: How to Spot the Broad-billed Tody

Among the smallest and most colorful birds of the Dominican Republic is the Broad-billed Tody (Todus subulatus), also known as the Hispaniolan Tody. This tiny forest bird is recognized by its bright green upperparts, red throat, pinkish sides and distinctive broad bill. Although it is only around 11–12 centimeters long, its colors make it one of the most memorable birds to discover in the forests of Hispaniola.

Los Haitises National Park offers visitors an opportunity to explore a landscape of tropical vegetation, limestone formations, mangroves and coastal habitats. Its birdlife includes several species that are native to Hispaniola, and the Broad-billed Tody is included in the park's bird checklist.

Unlike the larger woodpeckers discussed in earlier articles, this bird catches insects with quick movements from a perch. It also makes its nest in an unusual way: instead of using a tree cavity, it excavates a narrow burrow in an earthen bank.

This guide explains how to identify the Broad-billed Tody, where it lives, what it eats, how it nests and how visitors can look for it responsibly during a nature visit to Los Haitises.

1. What Is the Hispaniolan Tody?

The Broad-billed Tody belongs to the family Todidae. Its scientific name is Todus subulatus.

It is native to Hispaniola, the Caribbean island shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti. It also occurs on Gonâve Island, off the coast of Haiti.

In the Dominican Republic, it is commonly known as the Barrancolí. English-language bird references usually use the name Broad-billed Tody, while Hispaniolan Tody is another recognized English name.

The distinction matters because Hispaniola has two tody species:

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

Both are small, colorful birds with red throats and green upperparts, but they differ in bill shape, underpart coloration and typical habitat.

The Broad-billed Tody is particularly associated with lowland and varied woodland environments, making it relevant to birdwatching in the Los Haitises region.

2. How to Identify a Broad-billed Tody

The Broad-billed Tody is a compact bird with bright, contrasting colors. Its appearance can be surprisingly vivid when seen in good light.

Its most recognizable features include:

• Bright green upperparts.
• A red throat.
• Grayish-white underparts with yellowish and pinkish tones.
• Reddish-pink sides.
• A broad, flattened bill.
• A reddish underside of the lower bill.
• Brown eyes.

The bird's body is small, but its head and bill give it a distinctive profile.

Male and female appearance

Male and female Broad-billed Todies look broadly similar in the field. Their most useful identification features are the general plumage pattern and bill shape rather than a dramatic difference in body color.

Young birds can look less colorful than adults. Juveniles may lack the full red throat and can have greener markings across the breast.

For photographers, a side view can help reveal the broad bill and the contrast between the red throat and green upperparts.

3. Why Is It Called the Broad-billed Tody?

The name refers to the bird's relatively broad bill.

Its bill is an important adaptation for catching small insects. The shape also helps distinguish it from the Narrow-billed Tody, which has a slimmer-looking bill.

Todies belong to a distinctive Caribbean bird family. Although they may remind visitors of tiny kingfishers because of their colorful plumage and general shape, they are not kingfishers.

The family Todidae is restricted to the Greater Antilles. Its members are small, insect-eating birds with specialized ways of catching prey.

The Broad-billed Tody is therefore part of a bird group that contributes to the Caribbean's distinctive evolutionary diversity.

4. Where Does the Broad-billed Tody Live?

The Broad-billed Tody is native to Hispaniola and occurs in a range of wooded habitats.

Its documented habitat types include:

• Tropical deciduous forest.
• Dry lowland scrub.
• Secondary woodland.
• Forest edges.
• Regenerating vegetation.
• Some evergreen forest environments.

Its recorded habitat range extends from low elevations to approximately 1,700 meters.

This broad habitat range helps explain why the species can be found in different parts of the Dominican Republic rather than being limited to high mountain forests.

Los Haitises is included in the regional bird checklist, and the species has been recorded in the wider park area. A documented observation from Cueva de la Línea also provides a specific historical record from Los Haitises.

However, a past record does not guarantee that visitors will see the bird at the same location today. Wildlife observations depend on local conditions, vegetation, season and the route taken.

5. What Does the Broad-billed Tody Eat?

The Broad-billed Tody is an insect-eating bird.

It catches small insects and other invertebrates by watching from a perch and making short, quick movements to capture prey.

This is a type of feeding behavior known as sallying. The bird waits on a branch or another suitable position, spots a potential food item and makes a brief flight to catch it.

It may also pick prey directly from vegetation.

Its diet can include different types of small insects, depending on what is available in its habitat.

This feeding strategy makes the bird interesting to observe. It may appear to sit quietly for a moment before suddenly moving toward a leaf or branch.

Visitors who watch patiently may notice repeated short flights rather than continuous movement through the forest.

6. How Does the Broad-billed Tody Hunt?

The Broad-billed Tody is a small but active insect hunter.

Its feeding behavior usually involves several stages:

First, it chooses a perch. The bird settles on a branch or another suitable position where it can inspect nearby vegetation.

Next, it searches for prey. It watches for small insects on leaves, branches and other surfaces.

Then, it makes a short movement. Once it detects food, it flies quickly toward the prey and attempts to catch it.

Finally, it returns or moves to another perch. It may repeat the process several times.

A study of Broad-billed and Narrow-billed Todies in the Dominican Republic found that the two species can use different microhabitats even when they share the same general environment.

The Broad-billed Tody tended to forage higher in vegetation and in more outward horizontal positions, where foliage density was lower, than the Narrow-billed Tody.

This research is useful for understanding how two closely related birds can reduce competition by using different parts of the same habitat.

7. How Does the Broad-billed Tody Make Its Nest?

One of the most unusual features of the Broad-billed Tody is its nesting method.

Instead of building a typical open nest among branches, it excavates a narrow, curved burrow in an earthen bank.

The bird uses its bill and feet to remove soil and create a passage leading to a nesting chamber.

This is very different from the nesting strategy of the Hispaniolan Woodpecker, which excavates holes in trees.

Why an earthen bank is useful

An earthen bank can provide a protected location for a nest. The burrow reduces direct exposure compared with an open nest on a branch.

Suitable banks must have soil conditions that allow excavation while remaining stable enough to support the tunnel.

The availability of suitable nesting sites may therefore influence where the birds breed.

For visitors exploring Los Haitises, this is another reminder that the park's ecological value includes more than its visible trees and mangroves. Soil structure, banks and other small habitat features can also be important to wildlife.

Never dig into a bank, block a burrow or approach a suspected nest closely. Even a small disturbance can affect nesting birds.

8. How Does the Broad-billed Tody Raise Its Young?

Todies are known for their demanding insect-feeding behavior during the breeding period.

Adult birds provide food to their developing chicks, making repeated trips between feeding locations and the nesting burrow.

Because the young depend on insects, suitable feeding habitat near the nest is important.

The adults' repeated visits can sometimes help birdwatchers identify a nesting location. However, following the birds toward a nest or waiting close to the entrance can disturb them.

Visitors should observe from a distance and avoid revealing or publicizing the precise location of an active nest.

The best wildlife experience is one in which the birds continue their normal behavior without interference.

9. Broad-billed Tody vs Narrow-billed Tody: How Are They Different?

The Broad-billed Tody and Narrow-billed Tody are two closely related species found on Hispaniola.

They can look similar at first glance, particularly when seen briefly in dense vegetation. However, there are useful differences.

FeatureBroad-billed TodyNarrow-billed TodyScientific nameTodus subulatusTodus angustirostrisBillBroaderNarrowerUnderpartsMore grayish-white with yellowish and pinkish tonesGenerally cleaner whitish underpartsEye colorBrownPale blueTypical habitatLowland and varied woodland habitatsPrimarily humid montane forestElevationSea level to around 1,700 mMainly higher elevations, approximately 900–2,400 m

These are useful general field distinctions, not absolute rules for every individual or location.

The two species can overlap in some areas, so identification should consider several features together.

For visitors exploring Los Haitises, the Broad-billed Tody is the more relevant of the two species because the park's lowland and wooded habitats fit its broader habitat preferences.

10. Is the Broad-billed Tody Endangered?

The 2024 BirdLife International assessment classifies the Broad-billed Tody as Least Concern.

The assessment records a decreasing population trend, but the species has a relatively large geographic range and does not currently meet the criteria for a threatened category.

The total number of mature individuals has not been quantified in the assessment.

Least Concern should not be interpreted as meaning that habitat protection is unnecessary. Forest clearance, changes in vegetation and disturbance around nesting sites can still affect local populations.

Maintaining a range of wooded habitats across Hispaniola is important for this species and many other native birds.

In Los Haitises, protecting the natural landscape supports not only the Broad-billed Tody but also the wider bird community.

11. Where Can Visitors Look for the Broad-billed Tody in Los Haitises?

The Broad-billed Tody is included in the Los Haitises National Park bird checklist.

A historical observation has also been recorded at Cueva de la Línea within the park. This gives birdwatchers a documented local reference, although it should not be treated as a guarantee of a current sighting.

When searching for the species, look for suitable wooded vegetation rather than concentrating only on the open water or mangrove channels.

Helpful observation tips include:

• Watch the outer branches of trees and shrubs.
• Look for small green birds with red throats.
• Listen for short calls from nearby vegetation.
• Observe quiet perches where a bird may wait for insects.
• Pay attention to quick flights between leaves and branches.
• Use binoculars to inspect vegetation without approaching wildlife.

The bird's small size means it can be easy to miss. Patience and careful observation are more useful than walking quickly through the habitat.

12. Best Ways to Photograph a Broad-billed Tody

The Broad-billed Tody is an attractive subject for wildlife photography because of its colorful plumage and small size.

However, photographing it requires patience.

A telephoto lens can help capture details without disturbing the bird. A side view is particularly useful because it shows the bill shape and the red throat.

For better results:

1. Use natural light whenever possible.
2. Focus on the bird's eye.
3. Keep a respectful distance.
4. Avoid flash if it could disturb the bird.
5. Wait for the bird to settle on a perch.
6. Do not follow it toward an active nesting burrow.
7. Avoid cutting or moving vegetation to clear the view.

A natural photograph of the bird feeding or resting is preferable to an image obtained by disturbing it.

13. Responsible Tody Watching in Los Haitises

Small birds can be sensitive to disturbance, particularly around their nests.

Visitors should avoid handling vegetation, approaching nesting burrows or trying to make the bird move for a photograph.

Responsible birdwatching includes:

• Staying on permitted paths and visitor routes.
• Keeping noise low near wildlife.
• Avoiding playback calls.
• Never touching or blocking nesting burrows.
• Not removing branches, soil or vegetation.
• Following local guide and park instructions.
• Keeping a safe distance from all wildlife.

Los Haitises is valuable because it supports a range of natural habitats. Protecting small nesting sites and feeding areas is part of protecting the larger ecosystem.

14. Why the Broad-billed Tody Is Special to Hispaniola

The Broad-billed Tody is a small bird, but it represents an important part of Hispaniola's natural heritage.

It belongs to a bird family restricted to the Greater Antilles and has evolved a distinctive combination of colorful plumage, insect-catching behavior and burrow nesting.

Its presence in Los Haitises adds to the park's collection of native and endemic wildlife.

The bird also illustrates how different species use different parts of an ecosystem. While woodpeckers excavate tree cavities, the Broad-billed Tody makes a nesting burrow in an earthen bank. While some birds search for food on tree trunks, the tody catches insects from nearby vegetation.

These differences help create the ecological variety that makes the forests of Hispaniola so interesting.

For visitors coming through Sabana de la Mar, looking for the Broad-billed Tody can turn an ordinary nature excursion into an opportunity to learn about the island's unique wildlife.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scientific name of the Hispaniolan Tody?

The species discussed here is the Broad-billed Tody, scientifically known as Todus subulatus.

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

It is native to Hispaniola, which includes both the Dominican Republic and Haiti, and also occurs on Gonâve Island.

What is the local name for the Broad-billed Tody?

In the Dominican Republic, it is commonly called the Barrancolí.

How big is the Broad-billed Tody?

It is approximately 11–12 centimeters long, making it one of the small birds visitors may encounter in the forests of Hispaniola.

What does the Broad-billed Tody look like?

It has bright green upperparts, a red throat, pinkish sides, pale underparts and a broad bill.

What does the Broad-billed Tody eat?

It mainly eats insects and other small invertebrates, which it catches through short flights from a perch or by picking prey from vegetation.

Does the Broad-billed Tody nest in trees?

No. It excavates a narrow burrow in an earthen bank rather than using a typical tree cavity.

Is the Broad-billed Tody endangered?

The 2024 BirdLife International assessment lists it as Least Concern, although its population trend is recorded as decreasing.

Can I see a Broad-billed Tody during a Los Haitises excursion?

It is included in the park's bird checklist, so the species is part of the area's recorded birdlife. However, sightings depend on conditions and are never guaranteed.

Discover the Small Birds of Los Haitises

The Broad-billed Tody is a wonderful example of how much wildlife can be found beyond the famous caves, mangrove channels and limestone scenery of Los Haitises National Park.

Its bright colors, quick insect-catching flights and unusual nesting burrows make it a fascinating bird for nature enthusiasts.

If you are planning a visit from Sabana de la Mar, take time to appreciate the park's smaller wildlife as well as its larger landscapes. Observe quietly, follow local guidance and help protect the habitats that make these birds possible.

Explore Los Haitises responsibly and discover the remarkable birdlife of the Dominican Republic.