How long do California towhees live?
The oldest California Towhee on record lived to 12.8 years, a record from a wild bird. That is a ceiling, not an average: most wild California towhees live only a few years.
- Longest recorded lifespan
- 12.8 years
- Record from
- Wild bird
- Eggs per clutch
- 2–6 eggs
- Broods per year
- 2–3 per season
- Size
- 8.3–9.8 in, 1.8–1.9 oz
- Rank in family (of species on this site)
- 4 of 20
Record age versus typical age
Longevity records come from birds that were marked and later found again, usually through bird banding, or from birds kept in zoos. They show what a California Towhee can survive to, not what most do.
For small birds, the first year is the hardest. Many eggs and nestlings are lost to predators and weather, and young birds that leave the nest still have to learn to find food and avoid hawks and cats. A bird that survives its first winter has a much better chance of living several more years. That is why average lifespans in the wild are short even when the record is long.
How California towhees compare with relatives
Oldest recorded ages for other new world sparrows on this site.
- Savannah Sparrow18 years
- White-throated Sparrow14.9 years
- White-crowned Sparrow13.3 years
- Canyon Towhee12.8 years
- Eastern Towhee12.3 years
- Chipping Sparrow11.8 years
More about California towhees
Frequently asked
How long do California towhees live?
The longest-lived California Towhee on record reached 12.8 years, recorded from a wild bird. Most wild California towhees live far shorter lives, because the majority of young birds don't survive their first year.
What is the oldest California Towhee ever recorded?
12.8 years, according to the AnAge longevity database.
How many young can a California Towhee raise in a year?
Pairs lay 2–6 eggs and raise 2–3 per season.
Source: AnAge, The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database (Human Ageing Genomic Resources), record quality "acceptable", sample size "medium". genomics.senescence.info