California Towhee Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesCalifornia Towhee
Adult
Large sparrow with a thick bill and a long tail. Grayish brown overall with a rusty brown patch under the tail and around the bill.
© Matt Davis / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 27, 2017Adult
Large sparrow with a plump body and a long tail. Note rusty brown eyering and tinges to face. Plumage color varies from grayish brown to dark brown.
© Jamie Chavez / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, September 12, 2014Adult
Often perches on exposed shrubs, rooftops, or branches and calls for long periods.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, May 01, 2005Not all videos have sound
Adult
Often found in suburban areas with a mix of lawns and shrubs.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 09, 2017Adult
Found in dense shrubby vegetation including chaparral, coastal sage, and thickets along streams.
© John van Dort / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, June 06, 2017Adult
Hops along the ground looking for seeds and insects.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, May 01, 2005Not all videos have sound
Adult
Large sparrow with a thick bill and a long tail. Brownish overall; found in dry, brushy habitats such as chaparral as well as suburban and residential areas.
© M Kwan / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, July 29, 2016Adult
Drinks water from small pools and forages on the ground.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, May 01, 2005Not all videos have sound
Similar SpeciesCanyon Towhee
Adult
Canyon Towhees have buffy tones to the face, while California Towhee has darker rusty tones. The two species have very little range overlap.
© Etienne Artigau🦩 / Macaulay LibraryArizona, April 27, 2017Similar SpeciesAbert's Towhee
Adult
Abert's Towhee has a pale bill and dark face, unlike the more uniform brown of California Towhee. The two species have little range overlap.
© Paul Suchanek / Macaulay LibraryArizona, December 30, 2015Similar SpeciesCalifornia Thrasher
Adult/immature
California Thrashers have the same overall color (even the warm brown under the tail) but they have a longer tail and a strongly downcurved beak unlike California Towhee.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 09, 2017Similar SpeciesSpotted Towhee
Female/immature
Spotted Towhees are more colorful than California Towhees: brown upperparts, head, and throat (black in male Spotted), rufous sides, and white belly.
© Alice Domalik / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, March 04, 2017Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
New World Sparrows(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Passerellidae)
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