What's more thrilling than the trilling of a spotted towhee? Ok, that sounded kinda hokey. But, it's kinda sorta true...Anyhoo, spotted towhees are, in my book, the peacocks of the otherwise, generally monochromatic towhee clan, with their striking black hoods and backs, white spots on the wings and back, all contrasting nicely with their reddish-brown & white underparts. And to top it off, what about those red eyes?!!!
Of all places, I saw my lifer at the Mid Hills campground in the East Mojave back in 2002. They seem to be common and ubiquitous in many varied habitats, including here on our property in La Cresta.
From Kaufman Focus Guide: Birds of North America:
VOICE: High trill. Call chewink or chweee.
Of all places, I saw my lifer at the Mid Hills campground in the East Mojave back in 2002. They seem to be common and ubiquitous in many varied habitats, including here on our property in La Cresta.
2/17/02 Mid Hills, East Mojave National Preserve, San Bernardino County, CA
7/6/07 Mono Lake Access Area, Eastern Sierras, Mono County, CA
5/18/07 Hopping around the upper orchard on our property. He knows where the bird seed is stashed. La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA
LIFE LIST NOTES:
COMMON NAME: Spotted Towhee
COMMON NAME: Spotted Towhee
SPECIES: Pipilo maculatus
FAMILY: Emberizidae (Sparrows, Grosbeaks & Towhees)
FAMILY: Emberizidae (Sparrows, Grosbeaks & Towhees)
LIFE LIST DATE: 2/7/2002
COUNT: 1
LOCATION: Mid Hills campground, Eastern Mojave National Preserve, San Bernardino County, CA
HABITAT/BEHAVIOR: Very common in parts of the west, in chaparral, open woods, brushy hillsides. Forages on ground, but males sing from bush tops. Moves well out onto Great Plains in winter, sometimes straying as far as east coast.
IDENTIFYING MARKS & BEHAVIOR: 8"; Dark hood and back contrast with reddish-brown flanks and white belly. Male: upper parts black. Female: upper parts dark brown. White spots on wings.
IDENTIFYING MARKS & BEHAVIOR: 8"; Dark hood and back contrast with reddish-brown flanks and white belly. Male: upper parts black. Female: upper parts dark brown. White spots on wings.
VOICE: High trill. Call chewink or chweee.
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