California Towhee
Melozone crissalis
The California Towhee is a large, plain brown sparrow relative common in West Coast gardens and chaparral, best known for its rufous undertail and persistent chip calls.
- Feather type
- Contour feathers, plain and unpatterned
- Colours
- Uniform grayish-brown with warm rufous undertail
- Bird size
- Robin-sized, ~22 cm
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Overview
Overview
The California Towhee is a familiar, if unglamorous, backyard and chaparral bird along the Pacific coast, notable for its almost uniformly plain brown plumage relieved only by a warm rufous patch under the tail.
- Family: New World sparrows (Passerellidae)
- Genus: Melozone, ground-dwelling towhees of western North America
- One of the plainest-plumaged towhees, relying on behavior and voice for recognition
Identifying the Feather
Feather Identification
California Towhee feathers are almost entirely plain grayish-brown, with the only strong color concentrated in warm rufous feathers around the vent and undertail coverts.
- Shape: Broad, rounded contour feathers; tail feathers are long and broad, suited to a towhee's habit of pumping and flicking its tail
- Size: Larger than a typical sparrow, closer to robin-sized
- Color pattern: Uniform grayish-brown body plumage with a subtly warmer rufous tinge on the face and a distinct rufous undertail patch
- Shaft: Pale, not a key feature
- Vs. similar species: Very similar to Canyon Towhee, but California Towhee lacks the breast spot and shows a more uniformly plain face; ranges barely overlap
Plumage & Molt
Plumage Details
Adults are plain grayish-brown overall, slightly paler below, with a rufous crown tinge, rufous face patch, and a bright rufous undertail patch.
- Sexes: Sexes are alike in plumage
- Juveniles: Show faint streaking on the underparts and a duller undertail patch, molting into adult-like plumage within the first months
- Seasonal changes: Minimal seasonal variation
- Molt: Complete molt after the breeding season, typically in late summer
Habitat & Range
Habitat & Range
California Towhees are year-round residents of chaparral, coastal scrub, and increasingly suburban yards and parks.
- Range: Along the Pacific coast from southern Oregon through California into Baja California
- Habitat: Chaparral, coastal sage scrub, riparian edge, and residential gardens with dense shrub cover
- Migratory status: Non-migratory; pairs typically hold a territory year-round
Behavior & Field Notes
Behavior & Field Notes
California Towhees forage on the ground, scratching through leaf litter and mulch with both feet at once in a characteristic double-scratch motion.
- Diet: Seeds and insects taken from the ground, supplemented with berries
- Nesting: Builds a bulky cup nest low in dense shrubs
- Voice: A sharp, metallic chip note repeated persistently, along with a rapid trilled song
- Field notes: Pairs are often seen together year-round and readily approach yards with dense shrub cover and bird feeders
Frequently asked questions
What is the best field mark for California Towhee feathers?
Look for the otherwise plain grayish-brown plumage combined with a bright rufous patch under the tail.
How does California Towhee differ from Canyon Towhee?
California Towhee lacks the dark breast spot of Canyon Towhee and shows a more uniformly plain, unpatterned face; the two species' ranges barely overlap.
Do California Towhees migrate?
No, they are non-migratory and typically remain on the same territory throughout the year.
Where are California Towhees commonly seen?
They are common in chaparral and coastal scrub as well as suburban gardens throughout coastal California.
California Towhee guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding California Towhee.
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