Eastern Towhee

About

The Eastern Towhee is a large, striking sparrow known for its distinctive 'drink-your-tea' song and its habit of foraging noisily in leaf litter. It is a common bird of the eastern and central United States, preferring dense undergrowth in woodlands and shrubby areas.

Size & lifespan

Length

17-23 cm (6.7-9.1 in)

Wingspan

20-30 cm (7.9-11.8 in)

Weight

32-53 g (1.1-1.9 oz)

Lifespan

Typically 6-9 years in the wild, with a maximum recorded age of over 10 years.

Diet

Omnivore, primarily insectivorous during breeding season, shifting to seeds and fruits in fall and winter.

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Males have a glossy black head, upperparts, and tail, with rufous (rusty) flanks and a clean white belly. There are prominent white patches on the outer tail feathers, visible in flight or when fanned. A small white patch is often present at the bend of the wing. Females are similar but have a rich brown head and upperparts where the male is black.

Beak shape

Conical, stout, and dark gray to black, adapted for cracking seeds.

Eye color

Typically bright red in adults, though some individuals, particularly in the southeastern U.S., can have white or yellow eyes. Juveniles have brown eyes.

Leg color

Pinkish-gray to dark gray.

Distinguishing features

Large size for a sparrow, rufous flanks, white belly, and white outer tail feathers. The bright red eye (in most adults) is also a key feature.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles are heavily streaked brown overall, with a buffy wash and a streaked breast. They lack the distinct black/brown and rufous patterns of adults. Their eyes are brown. They gradually acquire adult plumage over their first year.

Seasonal changes

No significant seasonal plumage changes in adults. Plumage remains consistent year-round, though it may appear slightly duller or more worn before the annual molt.

Sexual dimorphism

Pronounced. Males have black heads and upperparts; females have brown heads and upperparts. Otherwise, plumage patterns are similar.

How to identify

1. 1

   Plumage (Male)

   Look for the striking contrast of glossy black head, back, and tail, bright rufous (rusty) flanks, and a clean white belly. White outer tail feathers are visible in flight.

2. 2

   Plumage (Female)

   Similar pattern to the male, but with a rich brown head, back, and tail instead of black. Rufous flanks and white belly are still prominent.

3. 3

   Eye Color

   Adults typically have bright red eyes, which are very distinctive. Some southern populations may have white or yellow eyes.

4. 4

   Foraging Behavior

   Listen for and observe its characteristic 'double-scratch' foraging method in leaf litter, where it kicks back leaves with both feet simultaneously.

5. 5

   Song

   Learn its distinctive 'drink-your-tea!' song, often heard from dense cover. The first note is usually buzzy or trilled.

6. 6

   Call

   Listen for its sharp, rising 'che-wink' or 'tow-hee' call, often given repeatedly.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Temperate forests, woodlands, shrublands, forest edges, thickets, and overgrown fields.

Geographic range

Eastern and central North America, from southern Canada south to Florida and eastern Texas. Its range extends west to the Great Plains.

Elevation range

Primarily found in low to moderate elevations, from sea level up to approximately 1,500 meters (5,000 feet) in some parts of its range.

Preferred environments

Dense undergrowth, thickets, brushy areas, forest edges, and areas with abundant leaf litter. They prefer areas with a mix of shrubs and small trees for cover and foraging.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal, most active during early morning and late afternoon.

Feeding habits

Forages primarily on the ground, often scratching vigorously with both feet simultaneously in a characteristic 'double-scratch' motion to uncover insects and seeds from leaf litter. Also gleans insects from foliage and eats berries directly from shrubs. Diet includes beetles, caterpillars, spiders, ants, seeds (especially from sumac, ragweed, and smartweed), and various berries.

Social behavior

Generally solitary or found in pairs during the breeding season. May form loose flocks during migration or in winter, sometimes associating with other sparrow species.

Flight pattern

Short, somewhat undulating flights, often low to the ground between patches of cover. When flushed, they typically fly a short distance into dense vegetation.

Migration pattern

Northern populations are migratory, moving south to the southeastern U.S. for winter. Southern populations are largely resident year-round. Migration occurs primarily at night.

Territoriality

Males are highly territorial during the breeding season, defending their territory with songs and aggressive displays against other males.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

April to August, with peak activity from May to July.

Nesting habits

Nests are typically built on or near the ground, often concealed at the base of a shrub, small tree, or in a dense tangle of vegetation. Occasionally, nests are placed a few feet up in a shrub. The nest is a bulky cup made of leaves, bark strips, twigs, and grasses, lined with finer materials like rootlets and hair.

Clutch size

2-6 eggs, most commonly 3-5.

Egg description

3-5 eggs, typically whitish or pale gray, often speckled or spotted with reddish-brown, purplish-brown, or black, particularly at the larger end. Eggs measure approximately 2.3 x 1.8 cm (0.9 x 0.7 in).

Incubation period

12-13 days, primarily by the female.

Fledging period

9-11 days after hatching, young leave the nest but remain dependent on parents for several weeks.

Parental care

Both parents feed the nestlings and fledglings. The female primarily incubates, but the male often brings food to her on the nest. They typically raise 1-2 broods per year, sometimes 3 in southern regions.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Listen for their song and calls. Eastern Towhees are often heard before they are seen. Their loud 'drink-your-tea!' song or 'che-wink' call will often reveal their presence, even when hidden in dense vegetation.
2. Look for movement in leaf litter. Watch for rustling leaves on the forest floor. Their vigorous double-scratching is a strong indicator of a towhee foraging.
3. Be patient near dense cover. They prefer to stay hidden. Find a good spot near a thicket or shrubby area and wait quietly; they may eventually emerge or move into a more visible position.
4. Check under feeders. In winter, they may visit ground feeders or forage for spilled seeds beneath hanging feeders, especially if there's nearby cover.

Similar species

Quick facts

Primary Habitat:

Dense undergrowth, forest edges

Distinctive Song:

'Drink-your-tea!'

Foraging Style:

Double-scratching in leaf litter

Eye Color:

Bright red (most adults)

Sexual Dimorphism:

Males black, females brown on head/back

Fun facts

• The Eastern Towhee was formerly known as the Rufous-sided Towhee and was considered the same species as the Spotted Towhee until 1995, when genetic and vocal differences led to their split.
• Their distinctive 'double-scratch' foraging technique is highly efficient for uncovering insects and seeds hidden beneath leaf litter.
• The bright red eye of the Eastern Towhee is one of its most striking features and is unique among North American sparrows.
• Despite their often loud and conspicuous song, Eastern Towhees are generally shy and prefer to remain hidden in dense vegetation.
• Brown-headed Cowbirds frequently parasitize Eastern Towhee nests, laying their eggs for the towhees to raise.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Passerellidae

Genus

Pipilo

Species

Pipilo erythrophthalmus

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