Rufus Sided TowHee

This little guy is a Rufus Sided TowHee. This is my favorite bird. They stick to wooded areas, and are pretty shy. You don't see them often, but we do get them under our feeder in the spring and summer. I like the coloring, and the fact that when you do see one it's kind of special.


Size: 7 - 8½"
Male has black head,neck, back and wings with a white belly and rufus sides. Female black parts are replaced with brown.

Voice: drink-your-tea. Also a tow-whee

Breeds across most of the continental USA into southwest Canada. Winters from California across to New England southward.
A very inconspicuous bird with variations in coloring and song across it's range.