2015 Bonanza Bird #20: Spotted Towhee

December 20, 2015 in Birdorable Bonanza 2015, New Birds and Towhees with 6 comments

Spotted Towhees are large sparrows found in western parts of North America. They are closely related to the Eastern Towhee. In fact, the Eastern Towhee and Spotted Towhee were once considered to be subspecies of a single species: the Rufous-sided Towhee. Today the Spotted Towhee has at least 20 recognized subspecies of its own.

The Spotted Towhee spends a lot of its time close to the ground. They nest in low bushes or directly on the ground. Feeding also occurs mostly on the ground. They forage for insects like beetles and crickets, as well as plant material like seeds and fruits, by scratching through leaf litter.

Some Spotted Towhees migrate, while others are sedentary throughout the year. Birds in interior parts of their range tend to migrate with the changing of the seasons; coastal birds tend to reside in the same location year-round. Depending on food resources, some non-migratory Spotted Towhees may make altitudinal movements throughout the year.

Spotted Towhee by Jan Arendtsz (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Spotted Towhee by Andy Morffew (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Tomorrow's bird is a small songbird with a white head that can be found across parts of Russia and Central Asia. It is in the same family as titmice and chickadees. Can you guess what it is?

Comments

ƲσƖcαяσηα ウルガモス (White-throated Sparrow) on December 20, 2015 at 12:20 PM wrote:

OH F*** YEAH YOU DID MY REQUESTED BIRD! Tbh I wish you could do a white-eye or oriental turtle dove.... And the next bird is easy... Azure Tit :P

Spurwing Plover on December 29, 2015 at 7:07 PM wrote:

I have seen them scratching for food and using both feet at the same time

Louise Warner on February 25, 2017 at 9:35 AM wrote:

azure tit?

Louise Warner on March 1, 2017 at 8:49 AM wrote:

Awesome!

Spurwing Plover on May 21, 2022 at 10:41 PM wrote:

Towhees also Red Eyed Towhee and Rufous Sided Towhee

Spurwing Plover on August 16, 2022 at 6:26 AM wrote:

They call their name

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