ODNR Division of Wildlife - A to Z Species Guide - Eastern Towhee

Eastern Towhee

The name "towhee," comes from an imitation of this bird's call note, which sounds very much like it is saying "drink your teeeaaa!" The name was given to this species in 1731 by the naturalist and bird artist Mark Catesby, who encountered it in the Carolinas.

Listen

Eastern Towhee

Pipilo erythrophthalmus

At-a-Glance

• Incubation: 12-13 days

• Clutch Size: 3-5 eggs

• Young Fledge: 10-12 days after hatching

• Typical Foods: nuts, seeds, fruit; occasionally insects.

Description
Male Eastern towhees have a black hood, back, wings and tail. The breast and belly are white and the sides are roufus. The female is similar, except she is brown where the male is black.

Habitat and Habits
Towhees inhabit brushy fields, woodland openings and edges, cedar groves, and thickets. They feed primarily on the ground, and will scratch loudly amongst the leaf litter, like small chickens. This large, showy sparrow has a very distinctive, clear ringing song. Their call, which has the same clear tone, resembles chewink!

Reproduction and Care of the Young
A loose nest in the shape of a cup is laid in a dense bush near the ground. The eggs are reddish-brown in color, with lilac spots.