The Rufous-sided Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) is about 8.5 inches long. This black hooded bird is striking with his white wing bars and spots, white underparts edged in rufous brown. In flight the white wing patches and white cornered tail are conspicuous. Females are generaly brown above instead of black.
This bird was formerly known as the Spotted Towhee in the west, because in both sexes the wings are spotted with white and have two white wing bars. The Eastern variety lacks the white spots.
The eye color is red-orange in both sexes. In the Southeast the eyes are white. The Eastern Towhee's song sounds like drink-your-tea-ee-ee-ee-ee coming at the end of a long trill; call note, a rising chewink. Songs of western forms vary but is generally a long buzzy trill; call notes sound like meewww.
Watch for the Towhee in dense undergrowth, streamside thickets, forest edges, woodlands and gardens throughout its range. It nests on or near the ground in dense brush. The nest is a loose cup of dead leaves and bark lined with grass. The clutch consists of 4 to 5 white eggs, with brownish spots. As with most Towhees, the Rufous-sided Towhee forages on the ground, scratching with both feet as it goes. It feeds on wild fruits, seeds, insects, spiders and worms. You can also find this nervous bird visiting your feeder.
Class: Aves | Order: Passeriformes | Family: Emberizidae | Genus: Pipilo | Species: P. erythrophthalmus
