Watercolor portrait of Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)

Eastern Towhee

Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Year-round in the Southeast Dense brushy areas, woodland edges, over… Common Song

Learn to identify the Eastern Towhee by ear. Master the "drink-your-tea-eee" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“drink-your-tea”

What the Eastern Towhee sounds like

Robin-sized sparrow-like bird (about 8 inches). Males have a jet-black head, throat, and upperparts, rufous-orange sides, and a white belly. Females have the same pattern but the black is replaced with warm brown.

“drink-your-tea-eee”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:A loud, musical series of notes often rendered as 'drink-your-tea' or 'drink your teeeee'. It typically starts with one or two short introductory notes ("drink") and ends with a fast trill or high-pitched note ("tea!"). Males sing from elevated perches within brushy habitats, especially in spring and early summer. Each male's song can vary slightly, but the pattern of a few clear notes followed by a trill is consistent. Often written as “drink-your-tea”.
Don't confuse with:The Spotted Towhee — the western counterpart of the eastern towhee. visually very similar in having black (or brown) upperparts with rufous sides, but spotted towhees have conspicuous white spots on their back and wing feathers. spotted towhee males also have white spots or streaks on their back, whereas eastern towhees have solid-colored backs with no white spotting. range is separate (spotted in the west, eastern in the east) except for some plains states where their ranges meet. in overlapping areas, differences in plumage (spots) and slight differences in song can distinguish them.

Where you'll hear it

Dense brushy areas, woodland edges, overgrown fields, and forest edges with thick understory.

Most active in early morning and evening, foraging on the ground by scratching in leaf litter.

Similar species

Spotted Towhee

The western counterpart of the Eastern Towhee. Visually very similar in having black (or brown) upperparts with rufous sides, but Spotted Towhees have conspicuous white spots on their back and wing feathers. Spotted Towhee males also have white spots or streaks on their back, whereas Eastern Towhees have solid-colored backs with no white spotting. Range is separate (Spotted in the West, Eastern in the East) except for some plains states where their ranges meet. In overlapping areas, differences in plumage (spots) and slight differences in song can distinguish them.

Brown Thrasher

A larger bird (11-12 inches) that also skulks in brushy areas and has rufous upperparts. However, Brown Thrashers have a very long tail, a streaked (not clear white) breast, and a distinctive yellow eye. Their bill is longer and curved. They often dig in leaf litter similar to towhees, but their size and shape (slender with a much longer tail) sets them apart. Also, Brown Thrashers have two white wing bars, which towhees lack.

Eastern Towhee song FAQ

What does an Eastern Towhee sound like?
A loud, musical series of notes often rendered as 'drink-your-tea' or 'drink your teeeee'. It typically starts with one or two short introductory notes ("drink") and ends with a fast trill or high-pitched note ("tea!"). Males sing from elevated perches within brushy habitats, especially in spring and early summer. Each male's song can vary slightly, but the pattern of a few clear notes followed by a trill is consistent. Listen for the "drink-your-tea-eee" phrase.
How do I tell an Eastern Towhee from a Spotted Towhee by sound?
Spotted Towhee: The western counterpart of the Eastern Towhee. Visually very similar in having black (or brown) upperparts with rufous sides, but Spotted Towhees have conspicuous white spots on their back and wing feathers. Spotted Towhee males also have white spots or streaks on their back, whereas Eastern Towhees have solid-colored backs with no white spotting. Range is separate (Spotted in the West, Eastern in the East) except for some plains states where their ranges meet. In overlapping areas, differences in plumage (spots) and slight differences in song can distinguish them.; Spotted Towhees share the same behavior of scratching in leaves and a similar call note, though the Spotted's call may be described as a harsher "chew-wink". Both species were once considered one; hybrids in the small contact zone can show intermediate traits..
When is the best time to hear an Eastern Towhee?
Most active in early morning and evening, foraging on the ground by scratching in leaf litter.