Spotted Towhee Similar Species Comparison
Similar Species
Eastern Towhee
Adult male
Male Eastern Towhees are mostly solid black above, without the prominent white wing spots on Spotted Towhee. The two species have very little range overlap.
© Tom Murray | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, April 20, 2017Similar Species
Eastern Towhee
Female/immature
Eastern and Spotted Towhees look similar, but their ranges don't overlap much. Female Eastern Towhees are mostly solid brown above, without the prominent white wing spots on Spotted Towhee.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 17, 2016Main Species
Spotted Towhee
Adult male
Large sparrow with a thick bill and a long tail. Males have a black head, throat, and upperparts, with a white belly and rufous sides. The back and wings are spotted white.
© John Reynolds | Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, February 10, 2017Female/immature
Large, long-tailed sparrow. Females are brown on the head, throat, and upperparts, with white spots on the wings and back.
© Alice Domalik | Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, March 04, 2017Adult (Olive-backed)
Some populations in Mexico have olive-green on the back.
© Andrew Spencer | Macaulay LibraryDistrito Federal, June 22, 2016Juvenile
Large sparrow with thick bill. Juveniles are heavily streaked and brownish from the time they hatch into fall.
© Robert Hamilton | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, July 06, 2017Adult male
Large, long-tailed sparrow of brushy areas, often found on or near the ground. Note prominent white flashes in the tail in flight.
© Mark Stephenson | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 29, 2017Adult male
Lives in dense shrubby habitats. Scratches in leaf litter to forage, but males often perch in the open to call or sing.
© Paul Fenwick | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 24, 2017Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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