Lupine Fest
Species Spotlight: Eastern Towhee
Eastern Towhees, Pipilo erythrophthalmus, are a common summer resident of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve.
They are about the same size as a robin or sparrow. They are black, brown, orange, red, tan, and white with broad wings and a long, rounded tail.
Eastern Towhees prefer habitats with dense shrub cover with leaf litter to scratch around in. They usually nest on the ground but in some cases build their nests in shrubs a few feet off the ground. They eat a diet of seeds, fruits, insects, and other invertebrates.
You’re likely to see Eastern Towhees foraging in leaf litter and bouncing from shrub to shrub throughout the APBP.
Fun fact: Listen for the male towhees “drink your tea-a-a-a” song!
Photo by Kelly Colgan-Azar
Additional Resources
Barnes, Jeffrey K. Natural History of the Albany Pine Bush. New York State Museum University of State of New York State Education Department, 2003.
Eastern Towhee Overview, all about birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (n.d.). https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Towhee/overview