Canyon Towhee
Learn to identify the Canyon Towhee by ear. Master the "tew-tew-tew, ti-ti-ti" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.
What the Canyon Towhee sounds like
Short, husky phrases arrive one by one with crisp gaps between them. This version sounds dry and staccato rather than like a smooth descending whistle.
How to tell it apart
Where you'll hear it
Canyon Towhees are mostly year-round residents in the southwestern United States and much of Mexico. They usually stay close to home instead of migrating long distances.
Look for it in dry, brushy places: desert scrub, rocky slopes, washes, cactus country, and brushy neighborhoods. It likes cover nearby and spends much of its time on the ground.
Spring is the best time to hear them sing from low perches. In summer heat they feed early and late, then keep to shade, and in winter they remain quietly active around brush and yards.
How to recognize it by sight
The Canyon Towhee is a warm, earthy bird of the Southwest. It often hops out from desert scrub or a yard edge, then scratches through leaf litter with quiet determination.
Similar species
California Towhee
Usually darker and sootier overall, with less warm cinnamon glow.
Abert's Towhee
Larger and grayer, often with a duskier face around the bill.
Spotted Towhee
Much flashier, with bold black, white, and rufous plumage.