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.
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Description of the Green-tailed-towhee
BREEDING MALE
The Green-tailed Towhee has a gray head with a rufous crown, greenish upperparts, wings, and tail, a gray breast, and a white throat. Length 7 in. Wingspan 10 in.
Photographs © Alan Wilson.
Female
Sexes similar.
Seasonal change in appearance
None.
Juvenile
Fall immatures resemble adults, but have grayer backs.
Habitat
Green-tailed Towhees inhabit brushy areas of mountains, including stream sides.
Diet
Green-tailed Towhees eat insects and seeds.
Behavior
Green-tailed Towhees forage on the ground, scratching in leaf litter.
Range
Green-tailed Towhees breed across much of the western U.S. They winter the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. The population appears to be stable.
Fun Facts
Like other towhees, Green-tailed Towhees hop-scratch in the leaves using both feet.
Vagrant Green-tailed Towhees occasionally are found in the eastern U.S. during fall.
Vocalizations
The song consists of several notes followed by trills. A “mew” call is also given, as is a buzzy flight call.
Similar Species
- The combination of green upperparts, gray underparts, and white throat is unique.
Nesting
The Green-tailed Towhee’s nest is a cup of grass, twigs, bark, and weeds and is lined with finer materials. It is placed on the ground or low in a shrub.
Number: Usually lay 3-4 eggs.
Color: Pale blue with darker markings.
Incubation and fledging:
The young hatch at about 12 days and fledge at about 11-12 days, though remaining dependent on the adults for some time.