Green-tailed Towhee

Overview

The green-tailed towhee (Pipilo chlorurus) is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae, commonly known as the New World sparrows. It is found across the western United States and much of Mexico, where it is considered fairly common throughout its breeding range.

Identification

• Approximately 18 cm in length with an average weight of 29 g, featuring a reddish brown crown and a white spot above the lores.
• Possesses a white 'moustache' and throat set against an otherwise grey head, while the hindneck, back, and scapulars are yellowish olive.
• The tail is predominantly greenish to yellow-green with olive-brown edges, contrasting with light fuscous wings that have yellow-green edges on the flight feathers.
• Vocalisations include a varied 'tjip drip threeeeh witwitwit' ending in a fast rattle, or a series of clear whistled notes preceded by a drawn-out 'weet-chur' and ending in a raspy trill.

Habitat

This species inhabits a variety of environments depending on elevation, ranging from shrub-steppe and sagebrush grasslands in lower areas to open woodlands of pine, oak, and deciduous trees with brushy understories at higher elevations. It also frequents riparian woodlands during migration and semi-open landscapes featuring Acacia, mesquite, and oak-juniper woodlands in its non-breeding range. The bird's range spans from southeastern Washington and southern Idaho south through the western United States and into Mexico, with isolated populations in parts of Canada.

Diet

The green-tailed towhee feeds on a wide variety of seeds and insects, supplemented by smaller amounts of small fruits. It forages primarily on the ground within dense vegetation, often kicking backwards with both feet during a forward hop or simply picking food from the ground. During the breeding season, it forages in pairs, while in the non-breeding season, it is sometimes found in small flocks of sparrows.

Did you know?

The bird was formally described by Audubon, though the description was actually written by John Townsend in a letter to him. Audubon originally named it the 'green-tailed sparrow' and assigned it the binomial Fringilla chlorura before it settled into its current genus.