Spotted Towhees in Alberta
When spotted towhees are present in Alberta, when they nest, which native Alberta plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 2a–4b yard.
- Status in Alberta
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- May–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 2a–4b
When to expect spotted towhees in Alberta
Spotted Towhees are summer residents in Alberta, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on beetles and caterpillars.
Continental — prairie in the southeast, aspen parkland in the center, boreal forest in the north and the Rockies in the west.
Nesting in Alberta
Across Alberta, spotted towhees typically nest from May–July. Nest site: cup on or near the ground. Females lay 3–5 eggs, incubate for 12–14 days, and young leave the nest after 10–12 days.
Warm, sunny summers with long days.
- Spotted Towhees don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as smooth sumac, paper birch, pin cherry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Alberta plants that attract spotted towhees
Of the regional native plants we track for Alberta, these 8 provide food or cover spotted towhees use:
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
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.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Fast-growing northern cherry with midsummer fruit.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
Feeding spotted towhees through the Alberta year
Scratches noisily under shrubs — leaf litter is prime habitat.
- Best foods: Millet, Sunflower chips.
- In Alberta's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Full diet breakdown for spotted towhees · Best feeder for spotted towhees
Frequently asked
Are spotted towhees in Alberta year-round?
No. Spotted Towhees are summer breeders in Alberta and leave for the winter.
When do spotted towhees nest in Alberta?
Nesting in Alberta typically runs May–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 3–5 eggs, incubated for 12–14 days.
What native plants attract spotted towhees in Alberta?
Smooth sumac, Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, Little bluestem, Paper birch, Pin cherry, Chokecherry are native plants in Alberta that provide food or cover for spotted towhees.
Spotted Towhees in other regions
Other backyard birds in Alberta
Sources
- Spotted Towhee — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Spotted Towhee life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Spotted Towhee — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Alberta
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- 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.