Narrow-billed Tody

Cf. Broad-billed Tody.  Broad-billed and Narrow-billed Todies are most readily identified by voice.  Habitat is often a strong clue, although there is significant overlap in some areas.  Visual identification is possible, but easy to get wrong.

Overall Plumage Tone:  The two species share the same overall plumage pattern, but differ in the tone of their coloration.  Narrow-billed is “colder”: deep green above and grayish-white below.  Broad-billed is more yellowish throughout: i.e., yellowish-green above and yellowish-white below.  Both species can show pink sides, but this is usually less extensive and redder on Narrow-billed.

Whisker Mark:  Narrow-billed has a prominent, crisply defined white whisker streak that contrasts with the cold gray color of its chest.  Broad-billed also has a whisker streak, but it typically contrasts less with the color of its chest.

Bill:  Their bill colors are somewhat different.  Narrow-billed’s bill is mostly blackish, with a small amount of red toward the base of the lower mandible.  Broad-billed’s lower mandible is all red and its upper mandible is partly red, but blackish on the upper surface.

Eyes:  Narrow-billed has white irises, whereas Broad-billed’s eyes are usually all-dark.