Cowbirds will lay their eggs in the Eastern Towhee’s nest, often times removing one of the Towhee’s own eggs, leaving the Towhee to raise their young. ... Mocking Bird Eggs. Look for Formerly called the rufous-sided towhee (a much more descriptive name), this large (81/2 inches long) sparrow is boldly patterned and spends nearly all its time on the ground scratching among the leaf litter, looking for food. Content for this page researched and created by Dr. Hamilton. While taking a step off the trail. Also sometimes forages up in shrubs and low trees. Clutch Size: 2 to 6 eggs, with 3 to 5 eggs most common. Eastern Towhees usually nest on the ground, the nest cup sunk into the fallen leaves up to the level of the rim. Pipilo erythrophthalmus. Eastern Phoebes greatly prefer nest sites that are close to overhead cover (i.e., overhangs, ledges). Eastern Towhee are over-sized sparrows that live primarily in the Eastern United States. Male towhee. Photo by K. Thomas, Public Domain. Eastern Towhee. The towhee incubates the eggs and rears the cowbird hatchling as its own. The degree of aggression and duration of the attacks will vary for each bird species and even for individual birds. Eastern Towhees are monogamous, and males display for their mate by flashing the white spots on his wings and tail.

Incubation ranges from 12 to 13 days and is carried out by the female. Fledging: The nestlings are tended by both parents and leave the nest in 10 to 12 days. Eggs. They often appear at bird feeders during migration. Only the female towhee builds the nest. an Eastern Towhee appeared doing the "broken wing" routine to lead us away from her nest. The female constructs the nest from mud, moss, and leaves mixed with grass stems and animal hair. They love the underbrush and can often be found rummaging there. Blue Jays and eastern chipmunk are also known predators. Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 28 million, with 100% spending some part of the year in the U.S., and 1% breeding in Canada. Eastern Towhees are monogamous, and males display for their mate by flashing the white spots on his wings and tail. You’re likely to hear an Eastern Towhee before you see one. The California towhee can be found in chaparral habitats of southern Oregon, quietly flitting in and out of the brush in search of seeds. The rose-breasted grosbeak is a songbird of eastern deciduous woodlands. The species rates an 11 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Score, and is a U.S.-Canada Stewardship Species. Interestingly, the Eastern Towhee is often a feathered foster parent to the offspring of the Brown-headed Cowbird. Incubation: The female incubates the eggs for 12 to 13 days.