Spotted Towhee

Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatis).  This specie is very closely related to the Eastern Towhee, according to my Sibley’s guide.  Until recently they were considered one single species.  They’re both found in dense brush, where they scratch noisily through dead leaves, but are difficult to see.  Stocky, long-tailed, dark head and rufous flanks.  Sometimes it will appear to have a crest.  I took the two following photos at Cedar Gap Farm, near Abilene, Texas.

Spotted Towhee

Spotted Towhee

I hope you enjoy the photos.  Click on either one to see an enlargement.  Here are the listings for the birds that were seen at our monthly birding tour this morning at San Angelo State Park, San Angelo, Texas.

Saturday, January 8, 2011   Total 27 species

Northern Shoveler     10
Green-winged Teal     10
American White Pelican     12
Great Blue Heron     3
Black Vulture     1
Northern Harrier     1
Red-tailed Hawk     2
Killdeer     2
Least Sandpiper     12
Long-billed Dowitcher     6
Ring-billed Gull     200
Herring Gull     1
White-winged Dove     4
Mourning Dove     2
Golden-fronted Woodpecker     2
Black-crested Titmouse     3
Verdin     1
Bewick’s Wren     2
Northern Mockingbird     10
Curve-billed Thrasher     2
White-crowned Sparrow     12
Pyrrhuloxia     4
Red-winged Blackbird     50
Western Meadowlark     6
Brown-headed Cowbird     3
House Finch     8
House Sparrow     6

Happy Birding!!