The fodies are endemic to some Indian Ocean islands. There is no overlap of species, except for the Madagascar Fody which overlaps with all other fody species in at least a part of their range. The sexes differ in all species, although the difference is slight in the Seychelles Fody. Females and non-breeding males are dull coloured. The males of two species have yellow in the plumage, the others red, although some Madagascar and Aldabra Fody males are flavistic (red replaced by yellow feathers). The bill varies from conical to slender in different species.

Fodies inhabit forest although the Madagascar Fody is found in more open habitats.

The nest of all fodies is similar, being a globular structure with a side entrance near the top, often with a small porch over the entrance. Fody nests are more primitive than the nests of other weavers. Some fodies, and possibly all, build a roof on the nest, probably for waterproofing the nest.

Eggs are blue-green, and usually 3 are in a clutch, but the Seychelles Fody lays 1-2 white eggs. Incubation is by the female, and both sexes feed the nestlings.

The 7 living fody species:
Madagascar Fody Foudia madagascariensis
Forest Fody Foudia omissa
Seychelles Fody Foudia sechellarum - Seychelles
Aldabra Fody Foudia aldabrana - Aldabra
Comoro (Red-headed) Fody Foudia eminentissima - Comoros
Mauritius Fody Foudia rubra - Mauritius
Rodrigues Fody Foudia flavicans - Rodrigues