I decided to meet up with a birder in my town to take advantage of the cooling temps this evening. I didn't think I would get any life birds but I did! Check it out all, my first Eastern Towhee. We could hear it singing in the distance so we decided to play its call on the Ipod to see if we could get it closer to us for a picture and ID. None of the pictures are perfectly clear because it was hard to get a face shot because it kept hiding itself in branches but this does not take away the beauty of this bird. Check out the fanned tail feathers in the photo above. Towhees do this to warn potential male towhees that this is their territory.
Ground shot.
Another photo of this gorgeous bird with the fail fan!
Side portrait view.
And finally back view. Check out that gorgeous white that contrasts perfectly with black. I was reading in my field guide that they consider this bird part of the sparrow family. If that is the case than this is my new favorite bird of the sparrow family for the month of April. Sorry Mr. Field Sparrow. HA! ;o). I think I am really starting to like spring!
17 comments:
Congrats on the lifer Kim! We had a pair show up today. They didn't hang around long.
Looks like the Warblers are in your area. I can't wait until they arrive here.
Today was a day of Bald Eagles and Osprey for us.
A very beautiful bird. I don't think I've ever seen one before. I think it might be my favorite of the sparrow family too, because I like the colors. I hope we have them here.
Hi Kim, Congrats on seeing a Towhee.. We had them here for awhile--but I haven't seen them lately. They are gorgeous birds for sure.
Hugs,
Betsy
What a beautiful bird!! I've never seen one. Great shots Kim!!! My birds seemed to disappear this evening. But I hear them in the woods. Some are still singing after dark it seems..LOL
Kim, that fanned-out tail image is a great shot! Looks like he's trying to embiggen himself, haha. Not too much birding for me in the coming weeks - we have company. Thanks for this vicarious lifer (it would be new to me, too)!
I love this bird. I actually know what sound this one makes - are you proud of me??? I love the photo of the black against the white.
...I saw one today singing also. I think your photos are wonderful....love the fanned out tail!!!
It was a warm one. I can't believe how fast you are racking up the lifers..amazing..and thank you for the kind words on my goose rescue. They will probably have to put her down, but I hated seeing her suffer...
I wonder when mine will arrive? Or maybe they have been here and didn't hang around. I wouldn't blame them as we had been having nasty weather but it was 85 yesterday. Almost too warm all of a sudden.
Your photography is very nice.
I rather like how he showed you all his beautiful attributes frame by frame! I was also surprised to see that they are considered sparrows. :C)
Towhees are so beautiful, I never tire of getting to see one. That IPod trick seems to work very well.
I was talking to a person who saw a hummingbird in Juneau recently.
They are beautiful birds. There is a pair around here and they usually have some young ones in the spring. Helen
We are surrounded by Eastern Towhees. I just love hearing their loud songs every morning.
Oh, I loved those Towhee pictures! It's been years since I've seen one around here.
Eastern Towhee is one of my favorites-glad you are enjoying your Spring sightings-I like the ha! that you sometimes throw in to your posts.-It sounds like a combination of expression of humor and a Karate exclamation at the same time.
Just getting caught up with your posts... Lovely captures of the Towhee. Aren't they beautiful? And their range of songs is quite amazing! We are very fortunate to have some foraging around in our woods right now. Happy Birding!
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