Pipilo chlorurus
Sneaking into the southwestern backdoor of the Rockies, the Green-tailed Towhee follows the sagebrush and scrub flats into the mountains. In this dry community, its springtime courtship chorus carries above the sounds of most other birds. A classic double-scratcher at loose debris (quickly jumping forward and jumping back), the Green-tailed Towhee goes through life under the shade of small shrubs. If it cannot skulk away from threats, it will unwillingly flush, producing an annoyed mewing call. Echoing the common name, the scientific name chlorurus means 'green-tailed.' |
I.D.: Sexes similar. Adult: rufous crown; metallic green upperparts; white throat outlined in black; sooty gray face and breast; gray legs; conical, gray bill. Immature: streaked upperparts; streaked underparts; pale throat outlined in black. Size: L 61/2-7 in. (17-18 cm). Range: fairly common migrant and summer breeder and very rare winter resident in the southern U.S. Rockies; increasingly scarce with increasing elevation and latitude; uncommon migrant and breeder in the central U.S. Rockies. Habitat: dry shrublands, primarily scrub oak, mountain mahogany, sagebrush, saltbrush, serviceberry and pinyon-juniper, in the lowlands and the foothills. Nesting: on the ground or very low in a bush; deep, bulky, thick-walled cup nest is made of twigs, grass and bark shreds and lined with fine materials; female incubates 3-4 eggs for 11 days. Feeding: scratches the ground for insects, seeds and berries; drinks morning dew from leaves; occasionally visits feeding stations. Voice: 'squeally' and raspy trills: swee-too weet chur cheee-churr. Similar Species: Chipping Sparrow: clear white eyebrow; black eye line; lacks the green back. American Tree Sparrow: clear-white throat; black breast spot; lacks the green upperparts. Canyon Towhee: lacks the white throat and the green back. |
