Spotted Towhee In The High Desert

Spotted Towhee In The High Desert




Meet the Spotted Towhee! The Spotted Towhee has been a constant resident here in our garden in winter clear into spring!



The Spotted Towhee is a very flashy , colorful bird who is not the most social species! The Spotted Towhee likes how we leave the vegetation for the winter to hide in, to do their thing in!

Gardens do look better for us in winter when folks go out and "clean up", removing the Sunflower stalks, Hollyhocks, Zinnias, veggie garden leaves and such. However, when we did this we did not get such birds here as the Spotted Towhee. Only until we started leaving such things out all winter did such birds show up and stay with us as the Spotted Towhee.



This is not the only post I wrote about the Spotted Towhee, doubt it will be the last? I really like the Spotted Towhee for the flashy color and the eyes!! Those eyes are just so neat!!

We have not had the Spotted Towhee nest here, so I do not get to see the baby birds grow up. In 2014 and 2015, (the Spotted Towhee is still here), from my observations each year more and more Spotted Towhee's show up! Perhaps coming here due to the food sources, (leaving stalks up all winter), and/or the protection factor?

The Spotted Towhee is super fun to watch! They scratch at the leaves etc. as chickens do, then if they see you they will take off like a flash!! Either running into a pile of bigger brush, or fly up into a tree for protection. The Spotted Towhee just does not care to be seen! From my observation the Spotted Towhee would just assume watch what you are doing from their "spot", if you are quick or find them paying attention to things like finding something to eat etc. you can get photographs!

I have noticed the Spotted Towhee does make use of the, "No cat zone", by running through our six foot dog kennel and hiding in the Raspberries that grow around one of our small ponds. The Spotted Towhee also likes our Lilacs and the pine tree that grows tall above some of the Lilacs we have. In 2014-2015 I have noticed them more in the pine tree, however as some folks may of heard me talk on social media, I have cleaned up outside due to the nice weather we had. This may have drove the Spotted Towhee into the Pine tree?? Because of this cleaning up, I have been throwing seed out there under the pine tree.



I have yet to see any Spotted Towhee at any bird feeder! Though hearing them just is here at home. They have a distinctive call which you can hear and read more about them here.

Keep in mind, my observations are mine. My photographs are also taken by me. I also read a lot about the native wildlife I photograph. If I do quote something from some book or website I will add it in here. I do not do this all that much..... I like to put in my observations and do like reading other peoples observations if I can find them....

Female Spotted Towhee in Her Natural Environment

Mrsroadrunner Photography | Female Spotted Towhee in Her Natural Environment




This is the natural environment for the Spotted Towhee. The species blends in very well to it's environment which is their way to survive.

We have been having the Spotted Towhee winter with us for several years. The flock tends to grow every year which is logical when finding the right environment why would they not come back bringing family and friends?

I have learned through out the winters of the Spotted Towhee showing up here at home is, they like it when we leave piles like the one she is standing in. Ya it does leave our small property looking uncared for, however I am more then happy to answer questions as to why I do this to those who just do not understand. Let me tell you people do not understand why I , or we do this!

The important thing here is, the birds do understand and like these piles ! That is why they are at my house and not say, at the neighbors house ha. Then of course I take their photograph and share them with you!





I admit I did not get to many useable photographs of her on this day back in January 2014. They are not a species you can just walk up to and ask to pose for a photograph. They are elusive , jumpy, unsociable , you get my drift. I really do not know where this flock we have show up here comes from? If it is even the same birds showing up year after year is questionable. However it is noted that these birds do live a long time for a bird what over 10 years was the oldest Spotted Towhee ever recorded. So their behavior works for them!

The males are the most flashy! I mentioned on twitter this as I was rambling about how folks like to photograph the flashy. Not all birds does this apply to but a good deal of birds the males are the flashy ones. If it were not for the females the males would not need to be flashy, or stand out. Therefor photographers are wanting to get the males as I have. However this Spotted Towhee was different and I like different!

I left these two photographs as is. Meaning I did not want to crop them etc... I wanted to show what the Spotted Towhee is attracted to. I have noticed the Spotted Towhee also likes our Lilac bushes / tree. We have over a dozen of them in which the Lilas have grown into what we like to call a privacy fence. Not really a fence of course. Within the Lilacs I have placed wintering boxes for the birds to hide in if it gets to cold for them as it tends to do here in the High Desert of Oregon as well as our ponds which one has raspberries growing all over it for cover, places to hide. This of course is in the no cat zone. Meaning the cat has been taught that this area is not for him to go bird hunting in. The birds have quickly learned this area is a safe place for them.



Thank you for coming by and hope you liked my little write up!