Alternate name: Rufous-sided Towhee
Family: Emberizidae, New World Sparrows view all from this family
Description 7-8 1/2" (17-22 cm). Male head, chest, rump, and tail black; back and wings black, with many white spots; sides rufous; midbelly white. Female: brown replaces black of male. Eyes red; tail corners and outer feathers white. Juvenile streaked all over.
Habitat Forest edges, thickets, woodlands, gardens, and shrubby park areas.
Nesting 3-6 white eggs, with reddish-brown and lilac spots, in a loose cup nest built in a dense bush, close to or on the ground if sheltered by tall planting.
Range Breeds from British Columbia south to California and the Southwest, east to central Dakotas and western Texas. Winters from British Columbia, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and Nebraska south to Baja California and east to Oklahoma and south-central Texas.
Voice The song varies, long, buzzy cheweeeee. Call is an inquisitive meewww?
Discussion This species was recently combined with the Eastern Towhee as a single species, the Rufous-sided Towhee. They are now considered distinct species and vary considerably in voice and appearance. The two species are known to interbreed where they come in contact. Towhees often feed on the ground, scratching noisily in the dry leaves.
