Sisters Country birds

When the Spotted Towhee [Piplio Maculatus] is seen, often on low branches or on the ground, its colors are a stunning contrast to all the surroundings.

It is a common bird of the thickets and blackberry brambles, seen under bird feeders eating seeds off the ground but never far from cover. They feed mostly on insects, berries, and seeds scratched from leaf litter.

In April the female builds the nest using soft grasses, twigs, and animal hair. While she finishes the nest, the male Spotted Towhee spends up to 90 percent of his mornings singing territorial songs. Three to six pale, creamy grey eggs are laid and incubated for 12-14 days. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge in nine to 11 days. In 30 days the young leave the area and begin their adult life.

The Spotted Towhee, known in the South as a “chewink,” is a richly colored bird displaying burnt orange sides with a black and white back and stomach. When flocking, usually in fall, they are called a “teapot” or a “tangle” of Towhees. The name “Towhee” is an imitation of its call, circa 1729.

For more Spotted Towhee photos, visit http://abirdsingsbecauseithasasong.com/recent-journeys.