Puerto Rico had been originally inhabited by Taíno people prior to the arrival of Europeans. Spain had colonial possession of Puerto Rico from 1493 to 1898. The islands were ceded to the United States by the Treaty of Paris following the Spanish-American War. Puerto Rico is considered as a territory of the United States.
- - - - -
Todus mexicanus - The Puerto Rican tody is native to the main island of Puerto Rico and is known locally as San Petrito. It can be found in the higher forested regions where insects are more common. The upper body coloration is a bright green, the flanks are yellow, and the underside yellowish white. The throat area is red as is the lower mandible. They are primarily insectivores, but do add fruit to their diet and occasionally lizards, especially during the nesting season to assure a healthy clutch of eggs.