Eastern Towhee

Pipilo erythrophthalmus

HOW TO IDENTIFY:

* Length: 7.25 inches
* Conical bill
* Red eye (white in southeastern birds)
* Rusty sides
* White belly
* Buffy undertail coverts
* White primary bases and tertial edges
* Long tail with white outer tail feathers
* Male has black head, back, wings and tail-brown in female
* Juvenile (Summer) heavily streaked, brown above and buffy below
* Frequently feeds on the ground where it noisily scratches for food
* Formerly conspecific with Spotted Towhee

Similar species:

The Eastern Towhee is similar to the Spotted Towhee but lacks wing bars and white spots on the back.