Spotted Towhees in South Dakota
When spotted towhees are present in South Dakota, when they nest, which native South Dakota plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3b–5b yard.
- Status in South Dakota
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- April–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–5b
When to expect spotted towhees in South Dakota
Spotted Towhees are summer residents in South Dakota, arriving shortly before nesting begins in April and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on beetles and caterpillars.
Continental, with prairie east of the Missouri River and the forested Black Hills in the west.
Nesting in South Dakota
Across South Dakota, 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.
Warm summers with thunderstorms; the Black Hills host western mountain birds.
- Spotted Towhees don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as eastern red cedar, smooth sumac, black cherry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native South Dakota plants that attract spotted towhees
Of the regional native plants we track for South Dakota, these 8 provide food or cover spotted towhees use:
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.
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.
Feeding spotted towhees through the South Dakota year
Scratches noisily under shrubs — leaf litter is prime habitat.
- Best foods: Millet, Sunflower chips.
- In South Dakota'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 South Dakota year-round?
No. Spotted Towhees are summer breeders in South Dakota and leave for the winter.
When do spotted towhees nest in South Dakota?
Nesting in South Dakota 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 South Dakota?
Eastern red cedar, Smooth sumac, Black cherry, American elderberry, Virginia creeper, Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower are native plants in South Dakota that provide food or cover for spotted towhees.
Spotted Towhees in other regions
Other backyard birds in South Dakota
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 — South Dakota
- 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.