Spotted Towhee
Location: 321 California Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306
The Flashy Recluse: Hidden Garden Treasure
The Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) is a colorful member of the sparrow family known for its secretive lifestyle among dense shrubs.
Size: 7.5–8.5 inches long.
Look: Males have a black hood, white belly, rusty-orange sides, white wing spots, and bright red eyes. The female looks much like the male, but has warm brown or gray-brown where the male has deep black.
Bay Area Schedule: Year-round resident in coastal California habitats.
Fascinating Facts
The Leaf-Scratching Dancer: Spotted Towhees use a unique double-scratch technique, kicking leaves aside to uncover insects, spiders, seeds, and berries.
Hidden but Loud: Although beautifully colored, they often stay inside bushes. You may hear their scratching or unusual calls before seeing them.
Masters of the Shrub Layer: Unlike many feeder birds, towhees prefer dense vegetation where they can safely feed and hide.
How to Welcome Them: Ground Feeding & Natural Cover
Scatter seeds near shrubs.
Offer sunflower seeds, millet, cracked corn, and peanuts.
Keep fallen leaves under plants.
Avoid removing natural ground cover.
Plant a Tangled Sanctuary
California Blackberry (Rubus ursinus): Creates excellent nesting and feeding habitat.
Coyote Brush (Baccharis pilularis): Provides dense evergreen protection.
Coffeeberry (Frangula californica): Offers shelter and berries for local birds.
Look-Alikes: How to Tell Them Apart
Spotted Towhee: Highly colorful, striking bird with spots.
California Towhee: Features an incredibly uniform, matte brown plumage.