Perching

Abert's Towhee

Pipilo aberti
Abert's Towhee thumbnail
Length: 10 in. (24 cm )
Common in thick brush along water courses in a restricted part of the desert southwest, the Abert's Towhee has successfully taken advantage of human plantings and greenery to become a regular garden bird in desert towns, suburbs and even large cities. Usually in pairs, it can be secretive, but at times it boldly runs out along sidewalks and edges of swimming pools. It feeds on the ground by simultaneously digging both feet into the ground and throwing large wads of leaves and dry vegetation into the air in back of it. The seeds and insects lying under the leaf litter are then exposed and easily found. When the towhee is active in dry leaves of thick underbrush, it can sound like a person walking toward you. It nests in low bushes and its eggs and young are often eaten by snakes.

The four-digit banding code is ABTO.


Riparian / River forest

Urban city
Bird Sound Type: Twittering
Sex of Bird: Male
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Bird Sound Type: Twittering
Sex of Bird: Male
Sonogram Large:
Sonogram Zoom:

View Citation

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Bibliographic details:

  • Article: Abert's Towhee
  • Author(s): Dr. Biology
  • Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
  • Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
  • Date published: July 13, 2017
  • Date accessed: March 26, 2024
  • Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/aberts-towhee

APA Style

Dr. Biology. (2017, July 13). Abert's Towhee. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved March 26, 2024 from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/aberts-towhee

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Dr. Biology. "Abert's Towhee". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 July, 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/aberts-towhee

MLA 2017 Style

Dr. Biology. "Abert's Towhee". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 26 Mar 2024. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/aberts-towhee

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
A Datura moon flower
What are 'moon flowers' and why do they bloom only at night?

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