Watercolor portrait of Canyon Towhee (Melozone fusca)

Canyon Towhee

Melozone fusca
Canyon Towhees are mostly year-round res… Look for it in dry, brushy places: deser… Common Sweet descending song

Learn to identify the Canyon Towhee by ear. Master the "tew-tew-tew, ti-ti-ti" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“tew-tew-tew, ti-ti-ti”

What the Canyon Towhee sounds like

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.

“tew-tew-tew, ti-ti-ti”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:A clear, musical string of notes that often seems to speed up and drift downward. It carries nicely across dry scrub on spring mornings. Often written as “tew-tew-tew, ti-ti-ti”.
Don't confuse with:The California Towhee — usually darker and sootier overall, with less warm cinnamon glow.

Where you'll hear it

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.

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.

Canyon Towhee song FAQ

What does a Canyon Towhee sound like?
A clear, musical string of notes that often seems to speed up and drift downward. It carries nicely across dry scrub on spring mornings. Listen for the "tew-tew-tew, ti-ti-ti" phrase.
How do I tell a Canyon Towhee from a California Towhee by sound?
California Towhee: Usually darker and sootier overall, with less warm cinnamon glow.; Often appears bulkier and more uniformly brown.; More typical of chaparral, oak scrub, and many western suburban areas..
When is the best time to hear a Canyon Towhee?
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.