Spotted Towhee (Rufous-sided towhee), Pipilo maculatus

Picture of a Spotted Towhee.Migration of the Spotted Towhee

The Spotted Towhee has some seasonal movements in elevation.

Diet of the Spotted Towhee

The Spotted Towhee forages for insects and seeds in the leaf liter. During the breeding season birds eat mainly insects or other arthropods high in protein. The rest of the year they eat mostly seeds and berries. They even eat acorns

Range of the Spotted Towhee

The Spotted Towhee is a resident in California. It is not found in high elevations, desert areas, or the central valley.

picture of a big berry manzanitaHabitat/plant community used by the Spotted Towhee

Northern Oak Woodland

Central Oak Woodland

Southern Oak Woodland

Chaparral Pinyon-Juniper woodland

Riparian

Coastal sage scrub

How to attract the Spotted Towhee to your garden

The Spotted Towhee likes dense shrubs to nest and forage under. They also like Oaks and tall shrubs to perch on.

Picture of a Spotted Towhee.Nesting Habitats used by the Spotted Towhee

The Spotted Towhee nests on the ground usually under a Scrub oak, Quercus berberidifolia, or Mountain mahogany, Cercocarpus betuloides or other dense shrubs. Ground Squirrels, Scrub Jays, and Snakes prey on eggs and young birds.

Spotted Towhee (Rufous-sided towhee), Pipilo maculatus

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