In the intricate tapestry of bird species, the Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) stands out as a striking and charismatic bird, known for its bold markings, unique behaviors, and captivating presence. And like most birds, you will probably hear it before you ever catch sight of one.
We don't mean you'll hear their call first. Though you might. No, the sound that announces a Spotted Towhee is a vigorous scratching in the underbrush, easily mistaken at first for a squirrel or chipmunk rummaging through the leaf litter. Then you look down, and there it is.
The Spotted Towhee is a medium-sized bird with a bold, immediately recognizable appearance:
It's often seen foraging on the ground, executing a characteristic two-footed backward hop-scratch through leaf litter in search of insects and seeds. Once you've seen this move, you'll recognize it instantly for the rest of your birding life.
The Spotted Towhee's primary range covers the Western United States, with breeding populations extending into Canada. It favors shrubby habitats, forest edges, overgrown gardens, and brushy thickets. Basically anywhere with dense ground cover and plenty of leaf litter to scratch through.
A note on its eastern cousin: the Eastern Towhee is a similar-looking bird found in the eastern half of the US, but lacks the white spots. The two were once considered the same species and still interbreed where their ranges overlap on the Great Plains.
Spotted Towhees are ground foragers first and foremost. They spend the majority of their time in the understory, scratching and hopping through leaf litter with impressive efficiency. Watching them work is genuinely entertaining.
The Spotted Towhee has two commonly heard vocalizations:
Learning these calls is one of the most reliable ways to locate a Spotted Towhee — they're vocal birds, and the call carries well through dense shrubs.
The Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) is a medium-sized ground-foraging songbird found primarily in the western United States and Canada. It is known for its bold black, white, and chestnut plumage, bright red eyes, and distinctive two-footed backward scratch foraging technique.
The Spotted Towhee has a buzzy rising trill (its song) and a drawn-out plaintive call often described as "tow-hee" — though we think it sounds more like someone calling out "Jerry?" in a slightly raspy voice. Both are distinctive and easy to learn with a birding app like Merlin.
The Spotted Towhee is found in the western US and has bold white spots on its wings and back. The Eastern Towhee is found in the eastern US and has the same black, chestnut, and white coloring but lacks the white spots. The two species were once considered one and still interbreed where their ranges overlap on the Great Plains.
Spotted Towhees are omnivores that forage primarily on the ground. Their diet includes insects, spiders, seeds, berries, and small fruits. They use their signature two-footed backward hop-scratch to uncover food hidden in leaf litter and soil.
Nope. Spotted Towhees are common and widespread within their western range. They can be easy to miss due to their preference for dense shrubby cover, but once you learn their call and foraging sounds, you'll start finding them regularly in suitable habitat.
Stan the Pouter Pigeon has always been the quiet one..., until things go sideways. When Tumbles gets cornered at the Aviaro Gala, it's Stan's moment to step into the spotlight alongside Fannie and remind everyone why you never underestimate the muscle.
