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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. CXLIX
Field-journal plate: Eastern Towhee
The Eastern Towhee plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate CXLIX

Eastern Towhee

Pipilo erythrophthalmus

Passerellidae · Taxon 9424

Length6.8–8.2 in (17.3–20.8 cm)
Wingspan7.9–11.0 in (20–28 cm)
Weight1.1–1.8 oz (32–52 g)

Field marks

  1. Large, chunky sparrow with a thick triangular bill
  2. Long, rounded tail with conspicuous white outer corners
  3. Adult male has a sooty-black head, throat, breast, and upperparts
  4. Warm rufous sides contrast with a clean white belly
  5. Folded wing shows small white bars or a white check-mark
  6. Eyes are usually dark to reddish; legs are pinkish

HabitatDense brush, tangles, thickets, scrub, and forest edges with leaf litter for ground foraging.

BehaviorPrimarily a ground forager, scratching through leaf litter with both feet; often concealed in dense undergrowth and may perch in low shrubs to sing.

Palette

sooty blackrufous chestnutwhitecharcoal graypinkish gray