Eastern Towhees in Vermont
When eastern towhees are present in Vermont, when they nest, which native Vermont plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3b–5b yard.
- Status in Vermont
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- June–July
- Broods
- 2–3 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–5b
When to expect eastern towhees in Vermont
Eastern Towhees are summer residents in Vermont, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on beetles, caterpillars and spiders.
Humid continental, with the Green Mountains and the Champlain Valley.
Nesting in Vermont
Across Vermont, eastern towhees typically nest from June–July. Nest site: cup on or near the ground under shrubs. Females lay 2–6 eggs, incubate for 12–13 days, and young leave the nest after 10–12 days.
Short, mild summers.
- Eastern Towhees don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as eastern red cedar, serviceberry, winterberry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Vermont plants that attract eastern towhees
Of the regional native plants we track for Vermont, these 8 provide food or cover eastern towhees use:
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Deciduous holly holding red fruit into mid-winter.
Fruit clusters persist all winter as emergency food.
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Blue-black fall fruit and dense nesting cover.
Feeding eastern towhees through the Vermont year
Towhees 'double-scratch' in leaf litter. Leave leaves under shrubs rather than raking them.
- Best foods: Millet, Cracked corn, Hulled sunflower.
- In Vermont's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Full diet breakdown for eastern towhees · Best feeder for eastern towhees
Frequently asked
Are eastern towhees in Vermont year-round?
No. Eastern Towhees are summer breeders in Vermont and leave for the winter.
When do eastern towhees nest in Vermont?
Nesting in Vermont typically runs June–July, with 2–3 per season. Clutches are 2–6 eggs, incubated for 12–13 days.
What native plants attract eastern towhees in Vermont?
Eastern red cedar, Serviceberry, Winterberry, Staghorn sumac, Smooth sumac, Black cherry, American elderberry, Arrowwood viburnum are native plants in Vermont that provide food or cover for eastern towhees.
Eastern Towhees in other regions
Other backyard birds in Vermont
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
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Vermont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
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.