Spotted Towhees in Wyoming
When spotted towhees are present in Wyoming, when they nest, which native Wyoming plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3a–5b yard.
- Status in Wyoming
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- May–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–5b
When to expect spotted towhees in Wyoming
Spotted Towhees are summer residents in Wyoming, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on beetles and caterpillars.
Semi-arid high plains and basins with major mountain ranges; most towns lie above 5,000 ft.
Nesting in Wyoming
Across Wyoming, 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.
Short, warm summers with cool nights.
- Spotted Towhees don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as smooth sumac, chokecherry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Wyoming plants that attract spotted towhees
Of the regional native plants we track for Wyoming, 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.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
Feeding spotted towhees through the Wyoming year
Scratches noisily under shrubs — leaf litter is prime habitat.
- Best foods: Millet, Sunflower chips.
- In Wyoming'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 Wyoming year-round?
No. Spotted Towhees are summer breeders in Wyoming and leave for the winter.
When do spotted towhees nest in Wyoming?
Nesting in Wyoming 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 Wyoming?
Smooth sumac, Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, New England aster, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Chokecherry are native plants in Wyoming that provide food or cover for spotted towhees.
Spotted Towhees in other regions
Other backyard birds in Wyoming
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 — Wyoming
- 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.