17346: LeGrace Re: 17323: (Chamberlain) Kolibri discussion (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: LeGrace Benson <legrace@twcny.rr.com>

>From LeGrace Benson, with hopes that the number of postings about Colibris
etc. means there are that many folks on the list who care about criters and
the environment:

The Todys are indeed gorgeous birds and are to be seen in the north of Haiti
as well as in the south.  The posting forwarded by Greg Chamberlain is
especially encouraging as it mentions visits to a national park.

Although one common name for the Narrow billed Tody is indeed Colibri, the
bird is actually a different type --Todidae, and according to Peterson
related to the Motmots and distantly to the kingfishers.  They eat insects
rather than nectar. It is probably their size and striking colors that have
them conflated with true Colibri. These birds are exclusively Antillean.

There are some schoolteachers in Haiti who are having their students be
alert to see all these birds ( as well as other native species), and there
have been some notable productions of materials and teacher training to
promote environmental appreciation.  Dr. Florence Sergile of the Museum of
Natural History of the University of Florida has developed some outstanding
programs that I have seen at work in the past. If she is on this list and
sees this, I hope she will tell us all where such materials are currently
available.