Spotted Towhee or Eastern Towhee?
Here's how to tell the difference
Spotted Towhee
Eastern Towhee
Spotted Towhee
Pipilo maculatus
Also known as: Pipilo
General appearance
The spotted towhee is a striking, medium-sized sparrow with bold coloration. It has a prominent black hood, back, and wings, complemented by distinctive white spots on the wings and back. Its sides and flanks are a rich rufous hue, while the belly remains white. A red eye adds to its distinctive look, and it has a robust, rounded body with a long, fan-shaped tail often held aloft.
Male vs female
Males are more vividly colored, displaying deep black on their hoods and backs. Females, in contrast, have a more subdued, dark brown tone replacing the black, providing some camouflage. Both sexes have similar white spots, rufous flanks, and red eyes, which remain consistent throughout their lives.
Juvenile
Juvenile spotted towhees lack the sharp contrasting coloration of adults. They exhibit a more mottled and streaky brown appearance with less vibrant rufous on the flanks. The characteristic white spots on the wings are muted, and the eyes are brown, gradually turning red as they mature.
Size
6.7 - 8.3 in/1.2 - 1.7 oz
There's more to learn about Spotted Towhee
View full detailsEastern Towhee
Pipilo erythrophthalmus
General appearance
The Eastern Towhee is a bird measuring 7-8 1/2 inches, approximately the size of a Robin. Its main physical characteristic is a dark hood and rusty sides, separated by a white stripe down the center of the belly. Sporting primarily black upperparts, its tail showcases significant white corners. A peculiar white-eyed form exists in Florida.
Male vs female
While both males and females display a similar body structure and pattern, there is a notable difference in their coloration. Males are adorned with mostly black upperparts, contrasting the females that show off a chocolate-brown hue. Both genders however possess red eyes.
Juvenile
The description does not provide specific details about the appearances of juvenile Eastern Towhees. Further research would be necessary to make distinctions between adults and juveniles.
Size
6.8 - 8.3 in/1.1 - 1.8 oz
There's more to learn about Eastern Towhee
View full detailsHow to tell the Spotted Towhee from the Eastern Towhee
Visual differences
Spotted Towhees have distinctive white spots on their black wings and back, rufous sides, and red eyes. Eastern Towhees feature a white belly stripe with rusty sides and white-edged tails. Males of both species have black upperparts, while females are brown; both have red eyes. Spotted Towhees have a more pronounced pattern due to their spotted wings. Both species are similar in size, around 7-8.5 inches long. Spot identification focuses on wing and tail markings: Spotted Towhees have white spots, while Eastern Towhees have white tail corners.
Key differences and behavior
The Spotted Towhee and Eastern Towhee exhibit distinct behavioral and habitat preferences. Spotted Towhees are adapted to the West, inhabiting open woods and chaparral, while Eastern Towhees occupy brushy areas in the Northeast. Both scratch at leaf litter for food, but Spotted Towhees actively pounce on prey. Their diets are similar, comprising insects and seeds, yet Eastern Towhees sometimes consume small vertebrates. Both species also wash with morning dew and share similar nest-building habits, with nests typically on or near the ground. During courtship, Spotted Towhees spread wings to display markings, whereas Eastern Towhees sing from high perches. In conflicts, both species exhibit submissive twig-carrying behavior.
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