Quick Take
- Towhees have a surprisingly bold body language cue that tells other birds and even humans to back off. Can you guess what it is? See the warning signals →
- One towhee species is nearly impossible to spot in its natural habitat, but that all changes when one specific season arrives. Explore migration habits →
- These small songbirds are omnivores, but some of the prey on their menu will genuinely surprise you. Discover their full diet →
- Most towhee species are thriving, while one is quietly racing toward extinction for a very specific reason. Check conservation status →
Towhees are a group of songbirds containing nine different species. They belong to the family Passerellidae, also referred to as the New World sparrows. Many people struggle pronouncing its name, but it is quite simple: Tow-Hee.
Many towhee species, such as the Eastern Towhee, have distinctive red eyes, but not all species share this trait. All towhee species reside in North America. One of the largest species is the Abert’s Towhee (Melozone aberti), which is slightly larger than the Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus).
Classification and Scientific Name
There are nine species of Towhees, but the most popular are:
Collared Towhee
Collared towhees (Pipilo ocai) have bright patterns and inhabit the highlands of south-central Mexico. They are generally found in flower banks, overgrown fields, pine forests, and brushy understories.
They are often seen feeding along the edges of fields and on quiet roadsides in the late spring. These birds are typically quiet, but do sing from low trees or bushes.
They have rusty caps, brightly striped heads, and bold white throats, which contrast with the wide black collar around their necks. Although they are mostly quiet, their songs and calls are quite loud; unlike a similar species, the chestnut-capped brush finch.
Spotted Towhee
The spotted towhee (Pipilo maculatus) is a large, striking bird that inhabits sun-filled thickets in western regions of North America. Males have black backs with white spotting and stripes, while females are a grayish-brown color.
their rufous flanks are a rusty color that blends with the dry leaves they spend most of their days among, making them hard to see when in leaf litter. So, the best time to view these birds is in the spring when they sing from the top of bushes and shrubs.
Eastern Towhee
Eastern towhees (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) are the largest of the genus, and they inhabit the eastern regions of North America, as their name suggests. They are black and reddish-brown in color, with striking white marks covering their bodies.
These birds prefer to rummage through the undergrowth and make a considerable racket when doing so. In addition, they have chewink calls that are surprisingly loud for their body size.
Canyon Towhee
Canyon towhee (Melozone fusca) is considered a large sparrow because they belong to the family of New World sparrows. They have brown plumage and closely resemble their cousins, the California towhee; however, they do not share the same habitat.
These birds are ground-dwelling and found in various habitats like desert grasslands, brushy areas, and suburban gardens. Their diet consists of seeds and several types of invertebrates.
Where to Find the Towhee
These birds inhabit various ecosystems like woodlands, forests, and urban areas. They can live as high as 6,500 ft, although they prefer lower altitudes because of the warmth.
All species live in North America and build their nests in bushes or on the ground under shrubs. However, they spend most of their days on the ground, rummaging through the foliage for food, and thrive in areas with thick undergrowth.
In addition, they occupy low-hanging branches where they feed on fruits and insects. Although there are several species of these birds, their habitat range is vast and diverse.
For example, the eastern towhee (the most common) prefers the edges of fields, woodlands, and forests.
Nests
Because there is more than one species, their nests differ. For example, the spotted towhee builds its nests on the ground or just above it in shrubs. However, females generally build the nests, which take around 5 days to complete.
Size and Appearance
The size and appearance of these birds vary between species. The spotted towhee has a black back and throat. The males have white spots on their wings and a white belly. Females are similar except for their grayish-brown plumage.
Eastern towhees are among the largest species of the genus and have a wingspan of 9 to 10 inches. Their sides are rusty, and they have dark tails with white bellies. Males have black backs, but females have brown plumage.
Eastern towhees measure between 6 and 9 inches long. However, the Abert’s towhees are 8.3 to 9.8 inches in length, with a wingspan of 10.4 to 11.6 inches.
Smaller species like the green-tailed towhee only measure 7.5 inches long, and the spotted towhee is similar in size to a robin.
The eastern towhee typically weighs between 1.1 and 1.9 ounces (32 to 53 grams), and most towhee species have similar average weights.
Migration Pattern and Timing
Most species in this genus are non-migratory. However, some are partial migrators depending on their location. For example, the northern populations of eastern towhees do migrate, while the southern populations remain year-round. In addition, another species that does not migrate is the California towhee.
Behavior
These birds are generally solitary; they even have signs for when they want to be left alone. For example, males will flick their tails and droop their wings to let others know they are not welcome. Males are also fiercely territorial and defend their territories more aggressively than necessary.
Reproduction and Lifespan
Eastern towhees’ mating season spans from spring to summer; however, this can change depending on their location. Females take 5 days to build a nest and lay about 2 to 5 eggs. The eggs incubate for around 12 to 13 days.
Once their eggs hatch, both parents will feed the offspring for about 30 days. However, spotted towhee parents only feed the offspring for 10 to 12 days.
Spotted towhees build their nests on the ground or just above it in shrubs. Females produce at least two broods per season and lay around 3 to 5 eggs. Their eggs are creamy white or grayish in color and appear elongated.
Lifespan
Lifespans differ between species, but the eastern towhee can live as long as 12 years, while spotted towhees can live up to 11 years. On average, most towhee species live around 10 years.
Diet
These birds are omnivores, typically eating fruit, plants, and animals. Their diets generally consist of:
Predators, Threats, and Conservation Status
The towhee has many predators, which include:
- Red-shouldered hawk
- Brown-headed cowbird
- Western scrub-jay
- Raccoons
- Rats
While there is no single official conservation status for the entire genus, many individual towhee species are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. However, some species are in danger, like the Socorro towhee (Pipilo socorroensis), which is listed as Endangered. These birds have a declining population due to invasive species out-competing them, weak genetics, and disease.
Population
There is no official record for the towhee’s population size. However, most species are stable.
Towhee Pictures
View all of our Towhee pictures in the gallery.
Benjamin Jacobs-Schwartz/Shutterstock.com
