Green-tailed Towhees in New Mexico
When green-tailed towhees are present in New Mexico, when they nest, which native New Mexico plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4b–9a yard.
- Status in New Mexico
- Winter visitor
- Nesting window
- Does not typically nest here
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–9a
When to expect green-tailed towhees in New Mexico
In New Mexico, green-tailed towhees are winter visitors rather than breeders. Cold nights and sunny days; many desert and mountain birds move to lower elevations.
Arid to semi-arid, with Chihuahuan desert in the south and mountain forest above 7,000 ft.
Native New Mexico plants that attract green-tailed towhees
Of the regional native plants we track for New Mexico, these 8 provide food or cover green-tailed towhees use:
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.
Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.
Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.
Fruit and seed plus nest sites for Cactus Wrens.
Feeding green-tailed towhees through the New Mexico year
- Top foods: Millet, Hulled sunflower (on the ground).
- In New Mexico's winter: Cold nights and sunny days; many desert and mountain birds move to lower elevations.
Full diet breakdown for green-tailed towhees · Best feeder for green-tailed towhees
Frequently asked
Are green-tailed towhees in New Mexico year-round?
No. Green-tailed Towhees are winter visitors in New Mexico and do not typically nest there.
What native plants attract green-tailed towhees in New Mexico?
Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Rocky Mountain bee plant, Rabbitbrush, Prickly pear are native plants in New Mexico that provide food or cover for green-tailed towhees.
Green-tailed Towhees in other regions
Other backyard birds in New Mexico
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
- eBird region overview and bar charts — New Mexico
- 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.