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California Towhee Identification

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The Four Keys to ID

  • Size & Shape

    California Towhees are essentially large sparrows, with a sparrow’s short, rounded wings, long tail, and thick, seed-cracking beak—but towhees are larger and bulkier. The long tail and short wings can give this bird an ungainly look in flight.

    Relative Size

    Slightly larger than a Spotted Towhee; slightly smaller than a robin.

    Relative Sizebetween sparrow and robinbetween sparrow and robin

    Measurements
    • Both Sexes
      • Length: 8.3-9.8 in (21-25 cm)
      • Weight: 1.3-2.4 oz (37-67 g)
      • Wingspan: 11.4 in (29 cm)

    Shape of the California Towhee© Jamie Chavez / Macaulay Library