We don’t see many quality photos of Green-tailed Towhees, for which there’s a very good reason.
This is a shy and secretive species, to the point that they’re among North America’s least well-known birds. Because of their secretive nature and their tendency to spend most of their time on the ground buried in thick, shrubby habitats we know little of their life history or ecology. They’re simply an extremely challenging species to study.
For the same reasons they’re quite difficult to photograph. The photographer’s best chance for success is with breeding males that can become conspicuous when singing on territory from elevated perches.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I’ve only had two reasonably close opportunities to photograph the species and this bird provided one of them. I found him in July of 2013 up Bountiful Canyon along Skyline Drive. His hormones were obviously flowing so he was unusually brave at my presence. He gave me a few frontal shots like this and then…
1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
he flew to another perch only a few feet away and began singing his little heart out. I suspect there may have been another male nearby.
1/2000, f/5.6, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
A little over two months earlier I photographed this singing male in the Stansbury Mountains. Though he didn’t allow me a close approach the light and angle on the bird provided a great look at his namesake green tail.
For those with an interest in hearing (and seeing) what I did with these two singing males here’s a link to a video clip of two of them singing on territory. It’s a sound I hear fairly often but I rarely see its source.
Ron
I have never seen this bird either. Different colors then our Calif. Towhee..I think this Towhee might be a bit smaller then ours as well. Beautiful shots!
Hi! What a beautiful bird! I do not think I have ever seen that bird1 Great shot! Have a great shooting time this week!
I really enjoyed the videos of them singing, along with your stellar photographs! What a beautiful, musical bird.
What a treat. We have a few singers who prefer to perform incognito as well, and it is always a delight to see them.
I very much enjoyed your clip of the singing Green-Tailed Towhees! I first saw one at Newport Beach and when I excitedly described them to my Audubon group which arrived later they couldn’t figure out what bird it could be. I had already pulled the CF card but later, of course, they ID’d the Green-tailed Towhee and was surprised I had the opportunity to photograph him. We visit Hueco Tanks when we are in El Paso and it’s nice to know I may encounter them there. What a small world it is with internet. I learn so much from your site Ron and I am always grateful for your photos and the knowledge you share.
Phyllis, the bird list for Hueco Tanks says that these Towhees are fairly common in spring and fall (50% chance of sighting them), and uncommon in winter. Not present in summer. Hope to see you at the park some time.
Thanks Susan for the info. We get to El Paso pretty often as we have family there. Another place I recently learned about in El Paso I would like to visit is Keystone Heritage Park on Doniphan. It is said to be a good birding location. It’d be nice to see you there!
I love seeing potential “connections” like this made here…
Keystone is very nice, and when the wetlands have water, the bird-watching is excellent. And if you haven’t been on the bird walk at Hueco Tanks (3rd Saturday of the month, 8:30 AM – pretty sure of the time) it is excellent. My husband and I are pictograph tour guides – we do tours #1 and #2.
Terrific shots! Quite a different song than our Eastern Towhee. That light highlights the subtle colors of the plumage and expert photography sure helps!
You certainly have captured the beauty of this species!
His rusty head is quite striking combined with flashy tail and shoulder. I also really enjoyed the song!
Finally, a bird I have seen on a few occasions! We do have those at Hueco Tanks, and it’s always nice to see them. It’s always at a distance, though. I’ll have to listen for their song.
Another bird for my “collection” of unknown species.It was a pleasure to see and hear it.
Thank you for sharing.
Amazing shots of a wonderful bird I’ve never seen and may not ever see. Thanks so much for sharing Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte. I don’t see them often either, at least not up close.
Ron, these are delightful – and thanks so much for including the link for the video clip of the singing! Both serve as a wonderful introduction to the green-tailed towhee…
Thanks for the feedback on the clip, Alison. Based on your comment I’m glad I included it.