The spotted towhee is a western bird and we were lucky to spot some on our last trip to British Columbia.
Towhees hop around moving leaves for find food.
Above is the male towhee and below is the female (not the best photo)
This over sized sparrow is usually a ground feeder but they will go to the feeders.
When we first saw the towhee we were walking the Galloping Goose trail and it flew in front of us and landed in one of the trees. Our first instinct was to say it was a robin as the flash of orange on its belly caught out eye. But looking closer after it landed we realized it was a bit smaller than a robin and had different colours. When we got back to the house we got out the BC bird guide for a correct identification.
The towhee is known for scratching/digging in the leaves to find food and very often you hear the sound before spotting the bird.
The video was taken in our daughter’s back yard in late December 2017. They were fun birds to watch.
They will forage on the ground for insects, bugs, seeds and berries. We did toss out some grapes and they vanished in no time.
Here in Ontario we have the eastern towhee, very similar in looks but generally without the spots on the wings, but we have yet to spot any.
Have a look at some of the other BC birds we have spotted.
Lorrie
The towhees are such pretty birds, I think, and fun to watch. Glad you saw a goodly number of them.
Linda aka Crafty Gardener
We love it when we spot new and different birds on our trips. The sun is coming out on this cold February day. Have a good weekend.
Margy
Reminds me a lot of a Junco but with a lot more colour. – Margy
Breathtaking
Hello!:) A very pretty bird indeed. Thanks for the videos, they are fun to watch. I didn’t realize a Towhee is a sparrow until I saw your post.
Linda aka Crafty Gardener
I didn’t know it came in the sparrow family either, but I’m always up to learning new things. Thanks for stopping by today.
Lea @ Lea's Menagerie
We have Towhees here in the southern US, but they are always hiding in the underbrush. Your photos are great!
Linda aka Crafty Gardener
We have Eastern towhees here in our part of Canada but I haven’t seen any, perhaps I’m not looking in the right places. Thanks for stopping by.
Elaine
Oh how wonderful nice captures . Such a pretty Bird . I spotted one here a year or two ago and also was able to get photos of it and add it to my new bird archives . I love having new birds pop by for a visit . Thanks for sharing , Have a good week !
Linda aka Crafty Gardener
How lovely that you saw a towhee, I’ve never seen the Eastern towhee here in my part of Ontario, guess I better look harder.
Rantenhagen
Lovely pictuers!
Myrtle
Thank you for sharing with us Linda. The birds are cute and interesting how they scratch to find food and also fly up to the feeders.Ienjoye the two little videos.
Linda aka Crafty Gardener
They were fun to watch Myrt. Hope you are having a good weekend. Are you flying off to warmer places soon?
Marie-OR
Towhees are delightful birds and we’ve enjoyed seeing them at different times. You got some wonderful photos are video!
Jennifer Jilks
Oh, yes! Your trip! Lots of fun!
Betty Crow
The spotted towhee is a pretty bird. Loved watching the videos. Happy Wednesday!
Eileen
Wow, these are gorgeous Towhee photos and videos. They are both beautiful birds. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your day and weekend!
A ShutterBug Explores
Wonderful and photos of our feathered friends ~ some unique to me but love them all!
Happy Weekend to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Myrtle
We don’t fly off Cuba until Feb 24th for 7 days. With all the very cold weather returning for well over a week, I will be ready to go!
Have a good weekend.
Kea
Beautiful birds — what a joy to see them first hand. I’ve never ever heard of a towhee, let alone seen an eastern one (that I’m aware of).
Lavender Dreamer
What great photos! This is a bird we have here but rarely see. The videos are nice to do too. We need to do that more often! Hugs!
Judy Biggerstaff
Beautiful shots of the spotted towhee. I just photographed towhees for the first time a week or so ago. Love seeing your pics!
Hootin' anni
As soon as I read ‘spotted towhee’ link I knew I was gonna be in for a treat!! Exceptional photos!
Again, thanks so very much for sharing all of the feathered nature with us birders at I’d Rather B Birdin’ this weekend.
Irma
Beautiful series of photos of this beautiful bird.
Best regards, Irma