Breeding Location:
Forest edge
Breeding Type:
Monogamous, Solitary nester
Breeding Population:
Common to fairly common
Egg Color:
Creamy white or gray
Number of Eggs:
2 - 6
Incubation Days:
12 - 13
Egg Incubator:
Female
Nest Material:
Sticks, rootlets, grass, bark, and leaves., Lined with soft grasses and animal hair.
Migration:
Northern birds migrate
Recommended Products:
General
Eastern Towhee: Large sparrow with black upperparts, hood and upper breast, rufous flanks, and white underparts. Wings are black with white markings. Tail is long and black with white corners. Female is similar but is brown instead of black. Juvenile is dark-streaked brown overall with pale chin.
Range and Habitat
Eastern Towhee: Breeds from southern Saskatchewan east to Maine and south to California and Florida. Spends winters across much of eastern U.S. north to Nebraska and southern New England. Preferred habitats include undergrowth and brushy edges of open woods. Northeastern birds favor young jack pines or second-growth oak forests; southern birds seek scrub oak or palmetto.
Breeding and Nesting
Eastern Towhee: Two to six creamy white or gray eggs are laid in a cup nest made of sticks, rootlets, grass, bark, and leaves, and lined with soft grass and animal hair. Nest is built on the ground under a bush or brush pile. Incubation ranges from 12 to 13 days and is carried out by the female.
Foraging and Feeding
Eastern Towhee: Eats insects, acorns, seeds, and berries; forages on the ground or in low vegetation.
Readily Eats
Cracked Corn, Peanuts, Nut Meats
Vocalization
Eastern Towhee: Song is a clear, whistled "drink your teeee" with the "teee" trilled. Call is "chewink."
Similar Species
Eastern Towhee: Spotted Towhee has wing-bars and white spots on back.
.