eastern towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)
CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.
IDENTIFICATION:
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Length: 7.25? inches
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Conical bill
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Red eye (white in southeastern birds)
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Rusty sides
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White belly
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Buffy undertail coverts
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White primary bases and tertial edges
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Long tail with white outer tail feathers
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Male has black head, back, wings and tail-brown in female
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Juvenile (summer) heavily streaked, brown above and buffy below
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Frequently feeds on the ground where it noisily scratches for food
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Formerly conspecific with spotted towhee
Similar species:
The eastern towhee is similar to the spotted towhee but lacks wing
bars and white spots on the back.
LIFE HISTORY
Migration Status: Short distance migrant
Breeding Habitat: Successional-scrub
Nest Location: Ground-low nesting
Nest Type: Open-cup
Clutch Size: 3-5
Length of Incubation: 12-13? days
Days to Fledge: 10-12
Number of Broods: 2, occasionally 3 in south
Diet: Mostly nuts, seeds fruit; lesser quantities of insects
SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE
Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.
Relative abundance
C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
numbers.
O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
sometimes low numbers.
R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.
Seasonal Occurrence
Sp - Spring: March, April, May C
Su - Summer: June, July, August C
Fall: September, October, November C
Winter: December, January, February U
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