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Large sparrow, olive-green
upperparts and pale gray underparts. Crown is rufous, throat is white
with black stripes, and bill is gray. Wings and tail are edged with
olive-yellow. Rapid bouncy flight, alternates several quick wing beats
with wings pulled to sides.
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GREEN-TAILED
TOWHEE
Pipilo chlorurus
PASSERIFORMES
Sparrows (Emberizidae)
Range and Habitat
Breeds from central Oregon south through mountains to southern California
and Great Basin to southeastern New Mexico. Spends winters at lower
elevations and south to southern Arizona and central and southern Texas;
also migrates to Mexico. Preferred habitats include dry scrublands,
primarily scrub oak, mountain mahogany, sagebrush, saltbrush, serviceberry,
and pinyon-juniper.
SOUND: "swee-too weet chur cheee-churr"
The Green-tailed Towhee is the only entirely migratory towhee. It is
also the smallest towhee. Their scientific name roughly translates to
“colorful chirper,” and their common name attests to the
bright yellow-green of their tail.
A group of towhees are collectively known as a "tangle" and
a "teapot" of towhees.
The Green-tailed Towhee has a large range, estimated globally at 1,700,000
kilometers. Native to North America and Cuba, this bird prefers forest
and shrubland ecosystems. The population is estimated to be 4,100,000
individuals globally and does not show signs of decline that would necessitate
inclusion on the IUCN Red List. Because of this the evaluation status
of the Green-tailed Towhee is Least Concern.
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