Where does the Eastern Towhee live?
Pipilo erythrophthalmus
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Open the appThe Eastern Towhee lives in specific habitats and regions. Knowing where, and when, to look improves your chances of a successful sighting.
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.
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.
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.
Where to look
Forest Edges
Look along the borders where forests meet open areas, as these provide both cover and foraging opportunities.
Thickets and Shrublands
Dense, brushy areas, especially those with a good layer of leaf litter, are prime habitats.
Overgrown Fields
Fields that are transitioning back to forest, with young trees and shrubs, are often good places to find them.
Suburban Backyards
If your yard has dense shrubbery and leaf litter, especially near feeders, you might attract them.
Field tips
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Check under feeders. In winter, they may visit ground feeders or forage for spilled seeds beneath hanging feeders, especially if there's nearby cover.
Migration
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.
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