Eastern Towhee

Pipilo erythrophthalmus

Classification

Conservation Status

  • The word “towhee” is an imitation of this bird’s call. 
  • In the spring, males of the species sing from the tops of bushes – “drink your tea!”
  • Towhees often give themselves away before they’re seen, noisily scraping through leaves and calling “towhee!” from shrubby thickets. 
  • A group of towhees is described as a “teapot” or “tangle.”