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Eastern Towhee

(Pipilo erythophthalmus )

Adult Male
Photo: Ron Austing

Size             : 6 - 8 inches long

Description      : Male - Black back and hood, reddish-orange sides and a white belly. 
                          White-tipped outer tail feathers and gleaming red eyes.
                   Female - Brown where male is black.
  
Preferred Habitat: Thickets, open forests, brudhy fields, suburbs, & parks.

Preferred food   : Insects and seeds, which they obtain by scratching in leaf litter.
                   Will regularly come to a feeder for crumbled bread, chicken scratch, wheat, oats, nijer, sunflower, 
                   cracked corn, millet, and suet.
                   Prefers to feed on the ground, under the feeder, rather than perched on the tray.
                   Will also eat fruit and berries.

Breeding Range   : Maine, south to Florida, Louisiana and Guatemala.

Winter Range     : North to Maryland

Interesting Facts: The Towhee is really a giant sparrow with a long tail.
                   The name 'Towhee' was given in 1731 in imitation of its call, by naturalist and artist,
                   Mark Catesby. He first saw the bird in the Carolinas.
                   Very noisy birds. They scratch furiously on the ground, rustling dry leaves, looking for a morsel
                   When they find nothing on the ground, they will eat from an elevated feeder, but it's best not to 
                   encourage them, for they will scratch wildly, sending seed in all directions.
                   Best to provide food on ground 
                   Nest on ground or low in a bush
                   Song bears resemblance to 'to-whee' or a cheerful 'drink-your-TEA'
                   Prefers a water source close to cover, where it can take a drink, a quick splash, and be able to hide
                   at the first sign of danger.