Eastern Towhee
The Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) is 7 to 8.5 inches in length. The male is identified by his black head, throat, back, and wings. The tail is black with white edges, the belly is white, and the sides are a bright reddish brown color. The female looks similar to the male, but is brown in all areas where the male is black. The Eastern Towhee was once combined with the western Spotted Towhee into one species: the Rufous-sided Towhee, but they have since been recognized as two different species, although they are known to interbreed in areas where their ranges overlap. Click here for a link to a description of the Spotted Towhee.
This bird is common in forest edges, wooded areas, parks, gardens and thickets. They forage on the ground in the leaf litter for their food which consists of various seeds, fruits, insects, molluscks, plant material, spiders, and nuts. The Eastern Towhee is usually seen foraging in thickets or hopping through leaf litter. They have a characteristic backward hop movement that is designed to disturb or uncover potential food items on the ground and make them easier to see.
The song of the Eastern Towhee sounds like it is saying, Drink-your-tea but it often shortens or varies the song pattern to something like, Your-drink-tea, drink-tea, or Your-tea. The call sounds like the bird is saying its name, tow-hee!
Click here for a range map and additional information.
Click on the players below to hear the Eastern Towhee.
This bird is common in forest edges, wooded areas, parks, gardens and thickets. They forage on the ground in the leaf litter for their food which consists of various seeds, fruits, insects, molluscks, plant material, spiders, and nuts. The Eastern Towhee is usually seen foraging in thickets or hopping through leaf litter. They have a characteristic backward hop movement that is designed to disturb or uncover potential food items on the ground and make them easier to see.
The song of the Eastern Towhee sounds like it is saying, Drink-your-tea but it often shortens or varies the song pattern to something like, Your-drink-tea, drink-tea, or Your-tea. The call sounds like the bird is saying its name, tow-hee!
Click here for a range map and additional information.
Click on the players below to hear the Eastern Towhee.