The Spotted Towhee is an eye-catching bird, but it takes some luck to see one. Bright white dots decorate black wings and back; rufous (reddish) sides stand out against a white belly; a jet black head holds intense red eyes. Believe it or not, this striking bird is designed to hide, which is what it does in a brushy habitat where its colorful patterns blend with the dappled shade.

Chaparral and open woodlands provide the Spotted Towhee with the shrubs it needs for protective cover and a year-round food supply. An omnivore, eating from both plants and animals, the Towhee forages by hopping around and scratching the ground for insects, spiders, millipedes, and other nourishment. It also searches low limbs for food. In fall and winter, when insects disappear, Towhees dine on seeds and berries.

The Spotted Towhee’s secretive life in the brush changes in spring when the male bird perches conspicuously atop shrubs to sing his raspy song either to attract a mate or declare his territory (keep out!).

Why does the female have such drab feathers? The female Towhee spends most time on the ground. Her dull, ground-colored feathers help her go unnoticed by predators (such as hawks, owls, and snakes). Towhees nest on the ground or in low branches and the female is the nest builder. She also incubates (sits on) the eggs without any help from her mate. However, once eggs hatch, both parents work to feed the nestlings (baby birds).

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