About the Eastern Towhee
The eastern towhee, also known as chewink, joree, or joree bird, is a large New World sparrow. The taxonomy of the towhees has been under debate in recent decades, and formerly this bird and the spotted towhee were considered a single species, the rufous-sided towhee.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The eastern towhee is a large and striking species of sparrow. The total length ranges from 17.3 to 23 cm (6.8 to 9.1 in) and the wingspan is 20–30 cm (7.9–11.8 in). The body of mass of this species ranges from 32 to 53 g (1.1 to 1.9 oz), with an average of 40 g (1.4 oz). Adults have rufous sides, a white belly, and a long dark tail with white edges. The eyes are red for most populations, though populations in the southeastern U.S. have yellow eyes – often referred to as the "white-eye morph." Males have a black head, upper body, and tail; these parts are brown in the female.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Eastern Towhee sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in May · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Spotted TowheePipilo maculatusThe spotted towhee is a large New World sparrow, roughly the same size as a gray catbird.
Green-tailed TowheePipilo chlorurusThe green-tailed towhee is about 18 cm (7.1 in) long and weighs on average about 29 g (1.0 oz).
Collared TowheePipilo ocaiThe collared towhee is 19.5 to 23 cm (7.7 to 9.1 in) long.
Side by side: Eastern Towhee vs Spotted Towhee · Eastern Towhee vs Green-tailed Towhee
Learn the Eastern Towhee for real
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