The towhee is a small bird that is a member of the sparrow family Emberizidae. There are several species of towhees in North America that get their name from the sound they make which sounds like “tow-hee” or “tow-wheeeee”. The rufous-sided towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) is one of the most common and widespread towhee species. Other towhees include the California towhee, canyon towhee, and spotted towhee. But why are they named after the sound they make? Let’s take a deeper look at towhees and find out.
Overview of Towhees
Towhees are medium-sized sparrows that measure between 6 to 9 inches in length. They have long tails, rounded wings, and thick pointed bills. Towhees are ground-dwelling birds and spend a lot of time hopping around leaf litter searching for food. Their diet consists mainly of seeds and insects.
Some key facts about towhees:
Species | Description |
Rufous-sided towhee | Found in eastern North America, has a black head and back with reddish-brown sides. |
California towhee | Lives along the Pacific coast, has a brown back and rust undertail coverts. |
Canyon towhee | Inhabits the arid southwest, has a gray head and rust-colored flanks. |
Spotted towhee | Ranges along the west coast, black with white spots on its back. |
– Belong to the sparrow family Emberizidae
– 12 recognized species in North America
– Medium-sized, 6-9 inches in length
– Plump bodies with long tails
– Ground foragers that hop along searching leaf litter
– Mainly eat seeds and insects
– Make a “tow-hee” or “tow-wheeeee” call
The widespread rufous-sided towhee is perhaps the most recognizable towhee species. It has a black head, wings, and back along with a white underside and reddish-brown flanks. The male and female rufous-sided towhees look similar except the female has a brown head instead of black.
Etymology of “Towhee”
So where does the name “towhee” come from exactly? The term traces back directly to the distinct vocalizations these birds make. When singing, towhees utter a high, squeaky call that sounds like “tow-hee” or “tow-wheeeee”. This singing is most noticeable during breeding season but can be heard throughout the year. The onomatopoeic name “towhee” is derived from this tow-hee call and has been used to describe these birds for centuries.
Early English settlers in North America first documented the name “towhee” upon hearing these birds vocalize. In 1758, Carl Linnaeus gave the rufous-sided towhee its scientific name Pipilo erythrophthalmus in reference to their red eyes (erythrophthalmus means red-eyed in Greek). The genus name Pipilo is also derived from their “towhee” vocalizations.
So in summary, towhees get their common name directly from the unique sound they produce with their singing. The onomatopoeic “towhee” mimics their high-pitched and squeaky call. This name was applied by early colonists in America and continues to be used today by ornithologists and birdwatchers. The towhee’s scientific name also references features like their red eyes and their towhee song.
Towhee Species Profiles
Rufous-sided towhee
The rufous-sided towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) is the most widespread and recognizable towhee species. Some key facts about rufous-sided towhees:
Scientific name | Pipilo erythrophthalmus |
Conservation status | Least Concern |
Size | 7-9 inches long |
Habitat | Thickets, brushy areas, forests |
Range | Eastern North America |
Distinctive markings | Black head, back, wings, tail. White belly, rusty reddish flanks. |
– The male has a black head, black wings with white markings, black back, rusty reddish sides, and a white belly.
– The female looks similar but has a brown head instead of black.
– They spend much of their time on the ground rummaging through leaf litter.
– Their diet consists of insects, spiders, snails, seeds, and berries.
– The “drink your tea” song sounds like “tow-hee” or “tow-wheeeee”.
– Nests on the ground hidden in dense shrubs or brush. Female incubates 3-5 eggs.
– Rufous-sided towhees are common in shrublands, thickets, forests, parks, and backyards across eastern North America.
California towhee
The California towhee (Melozone crissalis) is found along the Pacific coast of the United States:
Scientific name | Melozone crissalis |
Conservation status | Least Concern |
Size | 7.5-9 inches long |
Habitat | Chaparral, sagebrush, desert scrub |
Range | Along the Pacific coast |
Distinctive markings | Gray head, rusty undertail coverts |
– Brown back, wings, and tail with gray accents
– Gray head with a brown eye stripe
– Gray breast and buff belly
– Rusty reddish undertail coverts
– Makes a buzzing “tow-hee” call
– Forages on ground for seeds and insects
– Nests low in shrubs and scrubby areas
– Found in coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and desert washes
– Range extends along the Pacific coast from Oregon to Baja
The California towhee was previously considered a subspecies of the canyon towhee but was recognized as a distinct species in 2010. It is non-migratory.
Canyon towhee
The canyon towhee (Melozone fusca) inhabits the arid southwest region of North America:
Scientific name | Melozone fusca |
Conservation status | Least Concern |
Size | 7.5-9.5 inches long |
Habitat | Desert canyons, scrub, woodlands |
Range | Southwestern USA, Mexico |
Distinctive markings | Gray head, rusty flanks |
– Gray head, throat, and breast
– Brownish upperparts with streaks
– Pinkish-cinnamon flanks
– Buffy belly
– Makes a buzzing “tow-hee” call
– Forages on ground for seeds and insects
– Found in arid regions of the southwest
– Nests low in shrubs and scrubby vegetation
– Previously considered a subspecies of California towhee
The canyon towhee can be hard to spot as it blends into its desert surroundings. Its gray and brown plumage provides good camouflage.
Spotted towhee
The spotted towhee (Pipilo maculatus) inhabits the western U.S. and Mexico:
Scientific name | Pipilo maculatus |
Conservation status | Least Concern |
Size | 7.5-9 inches long |
Habitat | Thickets, woods, forest edges |
Range | Western North America |
Distinctive markings | Black with white spots on back |
– Male is black on the head, back, wings and tail with white spotting on back
– Female is brown where male is black
– Red eyes
– Rusty flanks
– White belly
– Makes a buzzing “tow-hee” call
– Forages on ground by hopping and scratching
– Nests low in bushes or on ground
– Found in brushy areas along the Pacific coast
The spotted towhee was previously considered a subspecies of the eastern towhee. Its white-spotted black back makes it easy to identify.
Towhee Behavior
Towhees spend most of their time hopping along the ground searching for food in dense, brushy habitat. Here are some interesting aspects of towhee behavior:
Foraging
– Towhees use a backwards scratching method of foraging in leaf litter
– They hop forwards and then kick both feet backwards to expose food
– This scattering of litter is quite noisy and easily identifies a foraging towhee
– Their diet consists of insects, beetles, snails, seeds, acorns, and berries
Vocalizations
– The towhee’s name comes from its call, which sounds like “tow-hee” or “tow-wheeeee”
– They have a variety of vocalizations beyond their namesake call
– Songs are composed of buzzes, trills, and sharp notes
– Calls communicate threats, warnings, and defense of territory
– Female towhees make a “chuck” call to stimulate food-begging in chicks
Reproduction and nesting
– Towhees form breeding pairs during the spring
– Males will sing from an exposed perch to defend territory and attract a mate
– The nest is built low to the ground in dense shrubs, bushes, or brambles
– The nest consists of a bulky cup made from twigs, grasses, bark strips, and leaves
– Female towhees lay 3-5 eggs which are white with brown spotting
– The female incubates the eggs for 12-14 days while the male defends the territory
– Both parents feed the chicks which leave the nest 9-11 days after hatching
Migration
– Some towhee species, like the rufous-sided towhee, are migratory
– They winter in the southern U.S. and Mexico and breed across Canada and the northern U.S.
– Other towhees like the California and canyon towhees are year-round residents
– Towhees migrate at night and can form large mixed-species flocks
Defense
– When threatened, towhees will freeze in place or run for cover
– They may utter sharp alarm calls or chatter angrily when disturbed
– When captured by predators, towhees may emit a defensive odor from their uropygial gland
– This foul-smelling oil likely evolved to help towhees survive predator attacks
Understanding towhee behavior provides insight into their daily lives and survival strategies. Their ground-dwelling lifestyle shapes many aspects of their foraging, nesting, and defensive behaviors.
Relationship with Humans
Towhees have a mostly positive relationship with humans and can benefit from some human activities. Here are some ways towhees interact with people:
Backyard birds
– Towhees will visit backyards if sufficient scrubby, bushy cover is available
– They are drawn to litter like piles of brush or leaf mulch which provide good foraging
– Platform bird feeders with sunflower seeds and other grains can attract towhees
– Water features like fountains or baths are used for drinking and bathing
– Some species have adapted well to suburban parks and natural areas
Habitat loss
– Towhee habitat like thickets and shrublands are vulnerable to destruction by human activity
– Urbanization, logging, and agricultural conversion can remove essential towhee habitat
– Fragmentation isolates populations and disrupts migrations for some species
– Providing natural areas and brush piles can help offset habitat loss
Predation
– Domestic cats allowed outdoors can prey on towhees and their nests
– Towhees freeze or hide when threats approach, making them susceptible
– Keeping cats indoors protects nesting birds and fledglings during spring/summer
– Discouraging feral cat colonies can also reduce predation pressure
Climate change
– Increasing droughts and wildfires due to climate change degrade towhee habitats in the southwest
– Towhees may decline if drought reduces food availability
– Creating backyard oases with water, cover, and plantings can temporarily offset these impacts
Overall towhees are adaptable birds that can take advantage of human-altered environments as long as adequate natural areas and scrubby habitat are preserved. They lend an energetic presence with their constant foraging and familiar calls.
Conclusion
In summary, towhees get their descriptive name from the “tow-hee” calls they vocalize in their breeding territories. These medium-sized, ground-dwelling sparrows use a variety of buzzes, chips, trills, and their signature “tow-hee” calls to communicate. There are several towhee species found across North America that occupy habitats ranging from desert scrub to forest edges. Towhees spend much of their time energetically scratching through leaf litter looking for seeds and insects to eat. They build bulky nests low to the ground and can raise multiple broods per year. While towhees readily adapt to certain human landscapes like parks and backyards, they are still vulnerable to threats like feral cats, habitat loss, and climate change. Providing natural areas and reducing these threats can allow towhees to thrive alongside people. The next time you hear a towhee’s emphatic call, you can reflect on how this bird’s vocalizations led to its descriptive name.