New World sparrows (Passerellidae)
Green-tailed Towhee
Pipilo chlorurus. Seeds and insects scratched from leaf litter under shrubs.
New World sparrows (Passerellidae)Green-tailed TowheePipilo chlorurus
- Scientific name
- Pipilo chlorurus
- Length
- 6.5–7.1 in
- Weight
- 1–1.3 oz
- Nest
- Cup low in a shrub in montane scrub
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 2–5 eggs
- Incubation
- 11–13 days
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
Identification
- Olive-green back and tail
- Rusty crown and white throat
- Grey breast
Voice
Sweet, hurried song ending in a trill; a cat-like mew call.
Diet and feeding
Seeds and insects scratched from leaf litter under shrubs.
What do green-tailed towhees eat? · Best feeder for green-tailed towhees
Green-tailed Towhees by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Winter visitor | — |
| California | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Colorado | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Idaho | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Montana | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Nevada | Summer breeder | May–July |
| New Mexico | Winter visitor | — |
| Oregon | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Texas | Winter visitor | — |
| Utah | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Washington | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Wyoming | Summer breeder | June–July |
Frequently asked
What do green-tailed towhees eat?
Seeds and insects scratched from leaf litter under shrubs. At feeders: millet, hulled sunflower (on the ground).
How big is a Green-tailed Towhee?
6.5–7.1 in long and 1–1.3 oz.
Do green-tailed towhees use birdhouses?
No. Cup low in a shrub in montane scrub.
Sources
- Green-tailed Towhee — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Green-tailed Towhee life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Green-tailed 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.