# Eastern Towhee (*Pipilo erythrophthalmus*) The Eastern Towhee is a colorful bird with a black head and bright orange sides. They love to hop around on the ground looking for tasty seeds and insects to eat. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 47 - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Rufous-sided Towhee ![Eastern Towhee](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Pipilo_erythrophthalmus_-Quabbin_Reservoir%252C_Massachusetts%252C_USA_-male-8.jpg&width=800) Photo: Bill Thompson of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pipilo_erythrophthalmus_-Quabbin_Reservoir%252C_Massachusetts%252C_USA_-male-8.jpg) ## Appearance The Eastern Towhee is a medium-sized bird with striking rufous (rusty orange) sides and a white belly. Males have a sleek black head and back, while females sport a brownish head and back. Both sexes show distinctive white patches on their outer tail feathers, especially visible in flight. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Passerellidae - **Genus:** Pipilo ## Interesting facts - Sometimes people call them "chewink" because of their sharp call. - Their bright red eyes stand out against their dark feathers! - They often hop backwards with both feet to find yummy treats. - Young towhees look like grown-ups, but with brown streaks. ## Special abilities - **Ground Scrubber:** Eastern Towhee can kick leaves and dirt with both feet at once to uncover hidden insects and seeds on the forest floor. - **Secret Singer:** Eastern Towhee has a distinctive 'Drink-your-tea!' song that helps them communicate and claim their territory. - **Leafy Lurker:** Eastern Towhee can blend into dense underbrush because of its dark plumage, helping them avoid predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 17-23 cm - **Wingspan:** 28-33 cm - **Weight:** 0.032-0.05 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-10 years - **Speed:** 35 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-6 - **Incubation:** 12-13 days - **Migration Distance:** 1500 km ## Diet & Feeding These omnivores scratch the ground for insects and seeds, and also enjoy tasty berries. - **Primary Foods:** beetles, caterpillars, ants, spiders, seeds, berries - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — A significant nest and adult predator. - **Parasitizes:** [Brown-headed Cowbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-headed-cowbird) (*Molothrus ater*) — Lays eggs in towhee nests for them to raise. - **Eats:** [Allegheny Blackberry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/allegheny-blackberry) (*Rubus allegheniensis*) — Consumes the fruit for energy and nutrients. - **Eats:** European Dark Ant (*Formica fusca*) — Forages for ants among leaf litter. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eastern Towhee? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Eastern Towhee? 17-23 cm ### What is Eastern Towhee's wingspan? 28-33 cm ### How much does Eastern Towhee weigh? 0.032-0.05 kg ### How long does Eastern Towhee live? 6-10 years ### How fast can Eastern Towhee move? 35 km/h ### What does Eastern Towhee eat? These omnivores scratch the ground for insects and seeds, and also enjoy tasty berries. ### Where is Eastern Towhee usually found? Forests ## Where to spot - [Albany Pine Bush](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/albany-pine-bush) — New York, US · Nature Reserve - [Bald Eagle State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bald-eagle-state-forest) — Pennsylvania, US · Forest - [Coker Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/coker-arboretum) — North Carolina, US · Zoo - [Columbia Historic District I](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/columbia-historic-district-i) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Dayville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dayville-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Eakin Community Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/eakin-community-park) — Virginia, US · Park [View all places to see Eastern Towhee](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eastern-towhee) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Eastern Towhee: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-towhee)