eastern towhee

1. Bird Name
English Name: Eastern Towhee
Scientific Name: Pipilo erythrophthalmus

2. Appearance
The Eastern Towhee is a striking bird, contrasting black, white and warm rufous colors. Males are mainly black with a white belly and strong rufous flanks. They have a round white spot on their black wings noticeable in flight. They possess a long dark tail with white edges also apparent in flight. Females are identical but sport a rich brown rather than black. Both sexes possess red eyes, though birds in the southernmost part of their range have white instead. Their strong legs are perfectly adapted for their unique foraging method of scratching the ground for food.

3. Size
The average length of an Eastern Towhee is 17-23 cm or approximately 7-9 inches. They have a wingspan averaging between 20-30 cm or 8-12 inches, and weigh typically between 32-53 grams, about 1.1 to 1.9 ounces.

4. Habitat & Distribution
Eastern Towhees are predominantly found in the eastern parts of North America, marking their territories in overgrown fields, quiet forests, woodlands, or alongside grassy roadsides and fence rows. They prefer forest edges, undergrowth, and areas with a generous understory for cover and nesting.

5. Interesting Facts
The Eastern Towhee gets its name from its distinctive “tow-hee” whistle-like call, sounding as if it’s telling you to drink tea. These birds are also known for their unique ‘backwards-hop’ foraging technique, where they scratch the ground in search of insects and seeds. Uniquely, the southernmost populations of Eastern Towhees have white eyes instead of red.

6. Diet
Eastern Towhees mainly eat insects, spiders, and seeds found while foraging on the ground. In fall and winter, their diet shifts more towards acorns, berries and seeds.

7. Behavior & Sounds
The Eastern Towhee’s song is a loud, complex and musical whistle which sounds like “drink-your-tea.” Their calls include the whistled tow-hee and a wide range of chip and chirping sounds. They are solitary birds except during breeding, when pairs form. They tend to stay hidden in dense vegetation but can be coaxed out with pishing sounds by avid birdwatchers.

8. Conservation Status
The Eastern Towhee is currently classified as a species of Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List though declines have been noted in their population.

9. Lifespan
The average lifespan of an Eastern Towhee is 12 years in the wild, though a banded individual lived to see over 30 years. Their mortality rate is high in their first year due to predation and environmental factors.

10. Additional Notes
The Eastern Towhee is also commonly referred to as the “chewink” in certain parts of its range due to the sound of its unique call. They play an essential role in their ecosystems as both predators of insects and spiders, and as seed-dispersers. These alert forest birds signal a warning when observing predators, making them handy companions on a woodland foray. Uniquely, because of their striking appearance, Eastern Towhees are popular in the pet trade, which may contribute to their declining numbers.