California Towhee in February
Where California towhees are in February, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
February in the California Towhee's year
February still feels like deep winter, but days are lengthening and the first stirrings of the breeding season begin — resident birds start singing on mild mornings and some early nesters are already claiming territories. Late-winter storms can be the hardest feeding days of the year.
For the California Towhee specifically, February is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 2 states and provinces where California towhees occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where California towhees are in February
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In February, California towhees are absent in the South, year-round resident across the mid-latitudes, and absent in the northern states and Canada. That north–south split is the defining feature of this month: where you live changes which version of this bird you're looking at.
Nesting in February
California towhees are not nesting in February. The season runs March–July at mid-latitudes, starting roughly a month earlier in the South.
Outside the nesting season, California towhees put their energy into feeding and flocking rather than territory and young — which is exactly what makes them easier to watch and attract this month.
What to feed in February
- Seeds
Pairs stay together for years in one yard; famously attacks its reflection in windows and hubcaps.
Don't let feeders run empty during late-winter storms; birds burn enormous energy staying warm. This is also the month to clean and repair nest boxes before early nesters move in.
Full California Towhee diet guide → · Best feeder for California towhees →
Watching California towhees this month
California towhees are settled and predictable in February, which makes this a good month to learn the bird's routine — same feeders, same perches, same times of day.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region California towhees are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
California Towhee month by month
California Towhee by state
Frequently asked
Where are California towhees in February?
In February, California towhees are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do California towhees nest in February?
No — California towhees typically nest March through July at mid-latitudes.
What do California towhees eat in February?
Seeds.
Sources
- California Towhee — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- California Towhee life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- California Towhee — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
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.