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Eastern Towhee
Birds Active during the day

Eastern Towhee

Pipilo erythrophthalmus

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

With their striking 'drink-your-tea' song and bold rufous-sided plumage, Eastern Towhees are the charismatic giants of the sparrow world. These secretive ground-dwellers bring a splash of color and a rhythmic rustle to any brushy backyard.

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0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Length: 17-23 cm (6.7-9.1 in); Wingspan: 20-30 cm (7.9-11.8 in); Weight: 33-49 g (1.2-1.7 oz)

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Colors

Males have jet-black upperparts, a black hood, and a white belly with warm rufous (reddish-brown) flanks. Females share the same pattern but are rich chocolate-brown where the male is black.

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Key Features

  • Striking red eyes (white eyes in some Southeast US populations)
  • Rich rufous-colored flanks contrasting with a white belly
  • Long, rounded black tail with white outer feather tips
  • Heavy, conical bill adapted for seeds and insects
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When You’ll See Them

schedule
Activity pattern Active during the day
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Peak hours 6-10 AM, 4-7 PM
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Season March-September
restaurant
Diet Omnivorous; they forage on the ground for beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and spiders. They also consume a wide variety of seeds, fruits, and berries, including ragweed, smartweed, and blackberries.
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Habitat Brushy fields, forest edges, overgrown clearings, and suburban backyards with dense shrubbery and leaf litter.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Eastern Towhee Live?

The Eastern Towhee is native to the North American continent, primarily inhabiting the eastern half of the United States and southeast Canada. Its range extends from the Great Plains eastward to the Atlantic coast, with northern populations migrating to the southern U.S. and Gulf Coast for the winter, while southern populations remain year-round residents.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

2 Countries
4.2M km² Range
Least Concern Conservation
US United States CA Canada
Elevation range
0 m1,000 m2,000 m4,000 m
Sea level – 1,900 m
eco
iNaturalist / Verified observation data
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Behavior

Eastern Towhees are the noisy percussionists of the forest floor. They are famous for their 'double-scratch' foraging technique, where they hop into the air and kick backward with both feet simultaneously to uncover insects buried in leaf litter. This creates a distinctive rustling sound that often makes them sound much larger than they actually are. While they spend most of their time on the ground, males will seek out high, exposed branches in the spring to proclaim their territory with their iconic 'drink-your-tea' song.

These birds are generally solitary or found in breeding pairs, maintaining a somewhat secretive lifestyle within dense thickets. Despite being members of the sparrow family, they don't typically flock with other species. They are highly territorial during the nesting season but may become slightly more tolerant during the winter months when food is scarce, occasionally appearing at the edges of backyard feeders if there is enough cover nearby.

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Camera Tips

To capture the best footage of an Eastern Towhee, you must go low. Since they are ground-dwelling specialists, mount your camera only 6 to 12 inches off the ground. Aim the lens at 'transition zones'—the area where a manicured lawn meets a brush pile, or under the canopy of dense ornamental shrubs. If you have a thick layer of natural leaf litter, leave it undisturbed; this is their primary stage for the 'double-scratch' dance.

While towhees aren't as bold at feeders as Cardinals, they are easily lured with ground-scattered food. Use a mix of white proso millet and cracked corn spread directly on the dirt or on a low-profile tray feeder. Position your camera about 3-5 feet from the baiting area to capture the fine details of their striking red eyes and the contrast of their rufous flanks. Because they are shy, using a camera with a silent shutter or disabling any 'ready' beeps is essential.

Lighting is a challenge because towhees love shadows. Try to place your camera in an area that receives dappled morning light. If your camera allows for shutter speed adjustments, set it high (1/500s or faster) to freeze the motion of their scratching. In the heat of summer, a ground-level water dripper or shallow birdbath placed near cover is arguably the best way to get them to stay in front of the lens for an extended period.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Eastern Towhee.

Spotted Towhee

Very similar in shape and color, but features heavy white spotting on the wings and back; found in Western North America.

Dark-eyed Junco

Much smaller with a gray or 'slate' colored hood and back; lacks the orange-rufous flanks of the Towhee.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Eastern Towhees are most active during the early morning hours just after sunrise and again in the late afternoon. During the spring, males are most vocal and visible during these times as they sing from high perches to defend their territory.
The best way to attract them is to provide dense cover, such as brush piles or thick shrubbery, and to leave leaf litter on the ground. Scatter sunflower seeds or cracked corn near the edges of these thickets, as they prefer foraging on the ground rather than using elevated hopper feeders.
They have a diverse diet consisting of insects like beetles and ants, as well as seeds, acorns, and wild berries. They are famous for scratching the ground with both feet to find food hidden under dead leaves.
Yes, they are quite common in suburban areas, provided there is enough 'edge' habitat. If your yard has overgrown corners, hedges, or proximity to woodland, you are likely to find them scratching in the mulch or under bushes.
The main difference is the back and wings. The Eastern Towhee has a solid black back (males) or brown back (females) with minimal white spotting, whereas the Spotted Towhee has extensive white spotting on its wings and back. Their ranges also rarely overlap, with the Spotted Towhee inhabiting Western North America.

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