Cuban Tody
| Todus multicolor | Order: Coraciiformes | Family: Todidae (Todies) |
This had been Laura’s most-yearned-for species for a long time until she finally saw her first on October 11, 2016. It’s more closely related to kingfishers than songbirds. When she finally made it to Cuba, she saw and/or heard about 10 todies in all, and three of them gave her some excellent photo ops. The anticipation did not exceed the actual event—the Cuban Tody really is the Most Adorable Bird in the Universe!
Male and female have identical plumage, but males, especially during breeding season, puff out the pink feathers along their flanks while the females are more likely to keep them tucked under their wings. So the bird pictured is probably a male.
The best source for information about this species is the Cuban Tody entry in Neotropical Birds.
Laura's Published Works
Radio Programs
- Birds in Art, Part 3: When Birds and Humans Intersect 2022
- Last Day in My Sixties 2021
- My Gratitude Folder 2020
- Cataract Surgery 2019
- Laura’s Best Bird EVER! ™ First Pileated Woodpecker 2018
- Laura's Best Bird EVER! Chapter 1. Blue Jay 2018
- Once in a Blue Moon 2018
- Birding in the Postseason 2017
- After Surgery 2017
- Facing 2017 2017
- Cuban Tody! 2016
- A New Chapter! 2016
- KUMD Live: Back from Cuba! 2016
- 2016 Travel for Laura 2016
- Bucket Lists 2015
- Birthday 2010 2010
- Turning 59 2010
- Bucket List 2008
- Red-breasted Nuthatch 2006