Eastern Towhee

The Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) is a large, striking member of the New World sparrow family (Passerellidae). Famous for its bold coloration and energetic foraging habits, this bird is a staple of Eastern brushy habitats. Unlike many of its streaky brown sparrow relatives, the Eastern Towhee displays clean, high-contrast plumage with a dark hood, deep rufous flanks, and a white belly. It is a master of the undergrowth, more often heard rummaging in dry leaves or calling from dense thickets than seen out in the open. Although still common, their populations have experienced localized declines due to the maturation of second-growth forests and habitat fragmentation.

Key Field Marks

• Male Plumage: Males have a striking, jet-black hood covering the head, throat, breast, and back, contrasting sharply with rich, rufous-orange flanks and a clean white belly.
• Female Plumage: Females share the exact same pattern as males but replace the black regions with a warm, chocolate-brown color.
• Eyes: Most populations possess bright, striking red eyes. In the far southeastern U.S. (especially Florida), individuals have pale yellow or white eyes.
• Wings and Tail: Wings feature small white patches at the base of the primaries. The long, rounded tail has conspicuous white corners that flash clearly when the bird is in flight.

Similar Species

• Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus): Formerly considered the exact same species (under the name 'Rufous-sided Towhee'), the Spotted Towhee has extensive white spotting on its back and wings and is found in western North America, overlapping only slightly in the Great Plains where occasional hybridization can occur.

Distribution and Range

Eastern Towhees are native to eastern North America. Their range extends from southern Canada south to the Gulf Coast and Florida, and west to the edge of the Great Plains.

Preferred Habitat

They thrive in early-successional habitats where dense cover is close to the ground. Ideal locations include:

• Overgrown old fields and brushy pastures
• Forest edges, clearcuts, and powerline corridors
• Dry pine barrens and oak-scrub habitats
• Suburban gardens with thick, undisturbed shrubbery

Migration

Populations in the northern United States and southern Canada are migratory, moving south to the mid-Atlantic, southern, and Gulf states for winter. Southern populations are year-round residents and do not migrate.

Foraging and Diet

Eastern Towhees spend most of their time on the ground, searching for seeds, berries, acorns, insects, and spiders. They are famous for their 'double-scratch' technique: they hop forward slightly and then leap backward, scratching both feet simultaneously through the leaf litter to uncover hidden food.

Vocalizations

• Song: The male's classic song is a highly recognizable three-part phrase: drink-your-tea, where the first note is sharp, the second lower, and the final part a rich, buzzy trill.
• Calls: Their common call is a sharp, two-note call that sounds like tow-hee or chewink, which gives the bird its name and is often used to locate them in thick vegetation.

Nesting and Breeding

Nests are typically built on or very close to the ground, hidden securely under tangled brush, fallen branches, or blackberry briars. The female constructs a cup-shaped nest from leaves, bark strips, and grasses, laying 2 to 6 cream-colored, speckled eggs.