New World sparrows (Passerellidae)
Eastern Towhee
Pipilo erythrophthalmus. Seeds, fruit and insects scratched from leaf litter.
New World sparrows (Passerellidae)Eastern TowheePipilo erythrophthalmus
- Scientific name
- Pipilo erythrophthalmus
- Length
- 6.8–8.2 in
- Weight
- 1.1–1.8 oz
- Nest
- Cup on or near the ground under shrubs
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 2–6 eggs
- Incubation
- 12–13 days
- Broods
- 2–3 per season
Identification
- Black (male) or brown (female) hood and back
- Rufous flanks and white belly
- Red eye (white in Florida)
Voice
'Drink-your-teeee'; call is a clear 'chewink'.
Diet and feeding
Seeds, fruit and insects scratched from leaf litter.
What do eastern towhees eat? · Best feeder for eastern towhees
Eastern Towhees by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Arkansas | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Connecticut | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Delaware | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Florida | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Georgia | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Illinois | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Indiana | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Iowa | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Kentucky | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Louisiana | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Maine | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Maryland | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Massachusetts | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Michigan | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Minnesota | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Mississippi | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Missouri | Year-round resident | May–July |
| New Hampshire | Summer breeder | June–July |
| New Jersey | Year-round resident | May–July |
| New York | Summer breeder | May–July |
| North Carolina | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Ohio | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Oklahoma | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Ontario | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Pennsylvania | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Rhode Island | Year-round resident | May–July |
| South Carolina | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Tennessee | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Texas | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Vermont | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Virginia | Year-round resident | May–July |
| West Virginia | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Wisconsin | Summer breeder | June–July |
Frequently asked
What do eastern towhees eat?
Seeds, fruit and insects scratched from leaf litter. At feeders: millet, cracked corn, hulled sunflower.
How big is a Eastern Towhee?
6.8–8.2 in long and 1.1–1.8 oz.
Do eastern towhees use birdhouses?
No. Cup on or near the ground under shrubs.
Sources
- Eastern Towhee — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Towhee life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Towhee — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.