Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) lives in woodland edges across North America. It feeds on insects and seeds. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Spotted Towhee
- The female builds a bulky nest only about 40 cm above the ground, a cup roughly 11 cm wide with an inner ring of 6.4 cm to 10 cm, and lines it with pine needles and shredded bark. She lays two broods of three to five eggs each, incubates them alone for 12-14 days, and the chicks fledge after 10-12 days. The low nest height makes the species vulnerable to ground-dwelling snakes and household cats.
- In a decade-long Seattle study, spotted towhees were one of four species labeled "urban exploiters and adapters," remaining abundant, productive and thriving in both suburbs and forests. They consistently fledged young year after year regardless of landscape, showing that this sparrow can turn suburban development into an opportunity rather than a barrier.
- The spotted towhee measures 17 cm to 21 cm long, weighs 33 g to 49 g, and spans about 28 cm across its wings, roughly the size of a gray catbird. Those dimensions make it one of the larger sparrows. the dry upland habitats where it lives.
- During spring and summer the towhee's diet shifts to protein-rich insects, beetles, spiders and other arthropods found in leaf litter, while in fall and winter it switches to acorns, seeds, oats and berries.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeNorth America
HabitatWoodland edges
DietInsects and seeds
About the Spotted Towhee
In the dappled underbrush of North America's woodland edges, the Spotted Towhee weaves a secret life, its mottled plumage blending seamlessly with the leaf-littered floor as it forages for seeds and insects with an air of quiet purpose. With each deliberate step, the towhee's sturdy legs propel it through the dense thicket, its bright, inquisitive eyes scanning the surroundings for hidden treasures. As it moves, the towhee's distinctive black spots seem to shimmer like dark jewels against its rich brown coat, a subtle yet striking testament to the beauty that can be found in the most unexpected of places.
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