Abert's Towhee
Abert's Towhee: Large, stocky, shy sparrow. Distinct black face, pale gray bill, gray-brown upperparts, paler gray-brown underparts, and rust-brown vent. Tail is long and darker than upperparts with rust-brown undertail coverts. Short flights, alternates rapid wing beats with wings pulled to sides. May be difficult to spot because it perfers to stay well-hidden under bushes.
● Song:
"chip, chip, chip, chip, chip, chee, chee, chee, chee, chee"
● Foraging & Feeding:
Abert's Towhee: Eats seeds and insects. Scratches in litter and gleans from the ground and shrubs, often in shade.
● Breeding & nesting:
Abert's Towhee: Two to five blue white eggs with dark brown speckles are laid in a nest made of forbs, bark pieces, leaves, and vines lined with dead grass and mammal hair. Nest is built in tree or bush, usually 25 to 30 feet above the ground. Female incubates eggs for about 14 days.
● Similar species:
Abert's Towhee: Canyon Towhee inhabits different range, has gray upperparts, face, and sides, chestnut-brown cap, dark breast spot, necklace of dark streaks, pale chin and throat, and white belly. California Towhee is browner overall with paler chin and throat, gray necklace, and pale eye-ring.