During the winter months you sometimes have to search a little harder to find birds, but they are definitely still with us. When I caught a glimpse of this bird’s rust-colored feathers earlier this week at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, I assumed it was an American Robin.
When I zoomed in, however, I was thrilled to see like that the bird was an Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus). Towhees share many of the same colors with the robins, but they are arranged in a completely different way. I think that towhees are supposed to be relatively common, although I personally do not see them very often.
I love to play with words and “towhee” for some reason is fun to say out loud. Try it yourself—it is virtually guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Yes, it did make me smile! I learned a new word. 🙂
🙂
Around here we call them Rufous Sided Towhee. They are lovely and somewhat elusive. I think they merely migrate through here.
Nice shot, you even caught a bit of its reddish eye. We don’t see many of these as they seem to like scrubby pine woods. There were many in Maine.
Great capture, Mike, of this beautiful bird! It is a cool word
Thanks, Ellen.