Green-tailed-towhee

Scientific name: Pipilo chlorurus

Unusual for a towhee, the Green-tailed Towhee is completely migratory, with all individuals making nocturnal migrations each year. Individuals may spend several days to a week at each stopover site along the way. Green-tailed Towhees occupy a variety of habitats at various elevations. Regrowing vegetation in areas disturbed by fire or logging is often utilized.

In addition to defending its territory from other Green-tailed Towhees, the male towhee may also act aggressively toward Fox Sparrows, and it is thought that it may be due to competition for singing perches. Canyon and Spotted Towhees don’t seem to provoke an aggressive response.