Eastern Towhees in Wisconsin
When eastern towhees are present in Wisconsin, when they nest, which native Wisconsin plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3b–6a yard.
- Status in Wisconsin
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- June–July
- Broods
- 2–3 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–6a
When to expect eastern towhees in Wisconsin
Eastern Towhees are summer residents in Wisconsin, 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 two Great Lakes shorelines, northern forest and southern prairie-oak savanna.
Nesting in Wisconsin
Across Wisconsin, 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.
Warm, humid 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 Wisconsin plants that attract eastern towhees
Of the regional native plants we track for Wisconsin, 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.
Lipid-rich red fruit fuels fall migrants.
Feeding eastern towhees through the Wisconsin year
Towhees 'double-scratch' in leaf litter. Leave leaves under shrubs rather than raking them.
- Best foods: Millet, Cracked corn, Hulled sunflower.
- In Wisconsin'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 Wisconsin year-round?
No. Eastern Towhees are summer breeders in Wisconsin and leave for the winter.
When do eastern towhees nest in Wisconsin?
Nesting in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin?
Eastern red cedar, Serviceberry, Winterberry, Staghorn sumac, Smooth sumac, Black cherry, American elderberry, Spicebush are native plants in Wisconsin that provide food or cover for eastern towhees.
Eastern Towhees in other regions
Other backyard birds in Wisconsin
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 — Wisconsin
- 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.