The California Towhee is a bird of southern Oregon, California, and Baja Mexico. It and the Canyon Towhee were once considered a single species, the Brown Towhee, but their geographic ranges do not overlap, and there are plumage, voice, and genetic differences, They are very plain in plumage overall, except for a brighter rufous patch on the undertail. Both males and females are essential identical in appearance.
Habitat
Found in a variety of brushy habitats, including coastal scrublands, riparian thickets, dry chaparral, brushy forest forest edges, and urban parks. They have adapted fairly well to a human presence and have learned to utilize brushy habitats in and around urban areas.
Diet
Feeds on seeds and insects. Insects make up a large portion of the diet in the summer months, particularly when young are being fed. However, seeds make up the majority of the diet in most seasons. They will also sometimes feed on fruits and berries.
Behavior
Does the majority of its foraging ont he ground, searching for seeds and insects, scratching on the ground and in the leaf litter.
Nesting
The nest is a cup of sticks, grasses, and strips of bark, lined with fine grasses, animal hair, and plant down. The female alone incubates the eggs, but both the male and female will feed and tend to the young.
Song
The California Towhee gives a sharp, metallic "chink” call that is commonly heard as birds move through dense shrubs and backyard vegetation. Its song is a simple but accelerating series of repeated notes that gradually speeds up into a dry rattling trill, often delivered from exposed perches during the breeding season.
Migration
California Towhees are largely nonmigratory and remain year-round residents throughout much of coastal and interior California, with smaller populations extending into Oregon and Baja California. They occupy the same territories in both summer and winter, favoring chaparral, brushy suburban areas, oak woodlands, and dense shrubby habitats where they forage close to cover.
Similar Species
Similar to Canyon Towhee , Abert's Towhee. California Towhees are darker and more uniformly brown than both Canyon and Abert’s Towhees, lacking the warmer cinnamon undertail and contrasting facial tones often shown by Canyon Towhees. Compared to Abert’s Towhee, the California Towhee has a less bulky appearance, a darker throat area, and does not show the paler grayish face and extensive pale underparts that give Abert’s Towhee a softer, more contrasting look.
Feeders
Will readily attend feeders for millet and various other seeds
Conservation Status
Populations have undoubtedly declined along the West Coast as urban development has destroyed some of their former habitat. However, they are still widespread and common in much of their range, and the IUCN lists the California Towhee as a species of "Least Concern" .
Photo Information
December 18th, 2008 - San Francisco, California - Terry Sohl
Interactive eBird Map
Click to access the eBird species page for California Towhee
