Spotted Towhees in New Mexico
When spotted 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
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- April–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–9a
When to expect spotted towhees in New Mexico
Spotted Towhees live in New Mexico all year. Cold nights and sunny days; many desert and mountain birds move to lower elevations. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward seeds and acorns.
Arid to semi-arid, with Chihuahuan desert in the south and mountain forest above 7,000 ft.
Nesting in New Mexico
Across New Mexico, spotted towhees typically nest from April–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.
Hot, dry early summer followed by the July–August monsoon.
- Spotted Towhees don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as smooth sumac, black cherry, american elderberry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native New Mexico plants that attract spotted towhees
Of the regional native plants we track for New Mexico, these 8 provide food or cover spotted towhees use:
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 fruit on red stems in early fall.
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.
Feeding spotted towhees through the New Mexico year
Scratches noisily under shrubs — leaf litter is prime habitat.
- Best foods: Millet, Sunflower chips.
- In New Mexico's winter: Cold nights and sunny days; many desert and mountain birds move to lower elevations.
Full diet breakdown for spotted towhees · Best feeder for spotted towhees
Frequently asked
Are spotted towhees in New Mexico year-round?
Yes. Spotted Towhees are year-round residents in New Mexico.
When do spotted towhees nest in New Mexico?
Nesting in New Mexico typically runs April–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 3–5 eggs, incubated for 12–14 days.
What native plants attract spotted towhees in New Mexico?
Smooth sumac, Black cherry, American elderberry, Virginia creeper, Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, Little bluestem are native plants in New Mexico that provide food or cover for spotted towhees.
Spotted Towhees in other regions
Other backyard birds in New Mexico
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 — 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.