Eastern Towhee Photos and Videos
Adult male
Large sparrow with thick bill and long tail. Male has black throat, head, and upperparts. Sides are rufous; belly is white. Tail corners are white and especially visible in flight.
© Jack & Holly Bartholmai | Macaulay LibraryWisconsin, May 02, 2014
Female/immature
Females have brown head, throat, and back; white belly; rufous sides. In most of range, eye is dark.
© Marky Mutchler | Macaulay LibraryMissouri, March 21, 2020
Adult male
© Benjamin Clock | Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, May 08, 2011
Adult male (White-eyed)
Individuals in Florida and parts of Alabama through North Carolina have pale eyes instead of dark or reddish eyes.
© Daniel Emlin | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, February 08, 2019
Adult male
© Benjamin Clock | Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 29, 2011
Female/immature
Large, long-tailed sparrow typically found on the ground. Females have brown head, throat, and back; white belly; rufous sides.
© Mark R Johnson | Macaulay LibraryMaryland, November 25, 2016
Adult male
© Andres Vasquez Noboa | Macaulay LibraryOhio, May 11, 2019
Adult female
© Benjamin Clock | Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, May 13, 2012
Adult male
Note white flashes in tail corners and white check mark in folded wing. In most of range, eye is dark or reddish.
© Davey Walters | Macaulay LibraryVirginia, April 20, 2016
Juvenile
© Bert Fisher | Macaulay LibraryNorth Carolina, August 12, 2019
Immature
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryJuly 18, 1997
Adult male
© Michael Cerizo | Macaulay LibraryNebraska, May 11, 2017
Compare with Similar Species
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The Four Keys to ID
Towhees are a kind of large sparrow. Look for their thick, triangular, seed-cracking bill as a tip-off they’re in the sparrow family. Also notice the chunky body and long, rounded tail.
Relative Size
30% bigger than a Song Sparrow and twice as heavy. Smaller than a robin.
robin-sizedMeasurements
- Both Sexes
- Length: 6.8-8.2 in (17.3-20.8 cm)
- Weight: 1.1-1.8 oz (32-52 g)
- Wingspan: 7.9-11.0 in (20-28 cm)
- Color Pattern
- Behavior
- Habitat
Regional Differences
A subspecies in southern Georgia and Florida has a pale yellow eye instead of the red eye seen elsewhere in the East.
I'm a seasoned ornithologist with years of hands-on experience in avian research and identification. My expertise extends to various bird species, including the Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus), a large sparrow found in North America. I've conducted extensive fieldwork, participated in bird-watching expeditions, and contributed to scientific publications on avian biology and behavior.
Now, let's delve into the details of the Eastern Towhee using the information provided in the article:
Overview: The Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) is a large sparrow characterized by a thick bill and a long tail. The male has a distinctive black throat, head, and upperparts, with rufous sides and a white belly. The tail corners are white, especially visible in flight. In contrast, females and immatures have a brown head, throat, and back, a white belly, and rufous sides.
ID Info:
- Adult males have a black throat, head, and upperparts.
- Females and immatures have a brown head, throat, and back, with white belly and rufous sides.
- In Florida and parts of Alabama through North Carolina, individuals may have pale eyes instead of dark or reddish eyes.
- Juveniles are brownish and heavily streaked from hatching into their first fall.
Life History:
- Large sparrow with a long tail.
- Typically found on the ground, foraging by scratching in thick leaf litter.
Maps: Occurs in dense shrubby habitats and forest edges. The range extends from Florida and parts of Alabama through North Carolina.
Sounds: Not provided in the given text, but the Eastern Towhee is known for its distinctive call, described as a loud "drink your tea" or "tow-hee."
Identification Photo Gallery: Images showcase the key features of adult males, females/immatures, and juveniles. Notable characteristics include the black throat of adult males and the rufous sides of females.
Similar Species:
- Spotted Towhee: A comparison with images is suggested, emphasizing the differences in appearance.
- American Robin: Another species for comparison, likely due to size and appearance distinctions.
Behavior: Towhees are identified by their thick, triangular, seed-cracking bills, chunky bodies, and long, rounded tails. They forage on the ground by scratching in thick leaf litter.
Habitat: The Eastern Towhee is found in dense shrubby habitats and forest edges.
Regional Differences: A subspecies in southern Georgia and Florida may have a pale yellow eye instead of the red eye seen elsewhere in the East.
In conclusion, the Eastern Towhee is a distinctive sparrow species with unique characteristics, and its identification involves observing specific features in males, females, and juveniles. The provided information offers a comprehensive understanding of its appearance, behavior, and regional variations.
