Eastern Towhee

Pipilo erythrophthalmus

The Eastern Towhee is a medium-sized sparrow with a striking appearance. It has a black head, back, and tail, with white underparts and rufous sides. The male has bright red eyes, while the female has brown eyes. This bird is known for its distinctive call, which sounds like 'drink-your-tea'. Eastern Towhees are primarily ground-dwelling birds and forage for insects, seeds, and berries in shrubby areas and forest edges. They are often seen scratching through leaf litter with a characteristic hopping motion. During the breeding season, males perform a 'jump-scratch' display to attract females. These birds are found in a variety of habitats including woodland edges, thickets, and overgrown fields.

Habitat: Woodland edges, thickets, overgrown fields