Spotted Towhee
Pipilo maculatus · New World Sparrows
The Spotted Towhee is a striking, large sparrow found in western North America. It is often heard rustling in leaf litter before it is seen. This species was formerly considered the same as the Eastern Towhee, both known as the Rufous-sided Towhee, until they were split into distinct species in 1995.
Explore the full field guideResident, migratoryMedium-sizedVaried song, callsOmnivorous
14 calls·first heard Jun 27·last 9d ago
When it's heardpeak 9a · fall
5a12p9p
How to know it
- Males have a jet-black head, throat, and upperparts, with bright white spots on the wings and back.
- Females share the same pattern as males but are warm brown or grayish-brown where males are black.
- Both sexes display warm rufous (reddish-brown) flanks that extend to the undertail coverts.
- Look for conspicuous white corners on the long, dark tail, especially noticeable in flight.