These juveniles look a little scruffy this time of year but I refuse to make a big deal out them not looking their best, especially after the photo I posted of myself two days ago.
I photographed this bird, or these birds, yesterday in the Wasatch Mountains. I can’t be confident these photos are all of the same bird because they were popping up onto the brush pile over time but hidden at other times so I couldn’t keep track. Almost immediately after arriving at this shooting spot I cranked up my ISO to 1600 to give me more shutter speed because of intermittent cloud cover. Regular readers know why I do that.
1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Young Spotted Towhees only retain their juvenile plumage for a few short weeks before transitioning into adult plumage and they’re in that transition now so they look a little “slapped together”. Most of the towhees I’ve been seeing lately look just about like this.
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
I have to be careful when framing this species in my viewfinder because that long tail is very easy to clip or cut off. Here I had a shutter speed of 1/2000 sec. but it still wasn’t enough to…
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
get much of the bird as sharp as I like when it began to take off. I’m including the shot because of the unusual look at that long tail while it’s flared. Spotted and Eastern Towhees are known for having “white corners” on their open tails.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
These birds are frustrating for me because most of the time I can clearly hear them scratching around in the dead leaves beneath the bushes while they’re uncovering food (sometimes it sounds like there’s a herd of deer in there and I’m not kidding). But they rarely come out to play so I’m always happy to get a relatively clear shot like this one. It doesn’t happen very often.
1/1250, f/6.3, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Like most youngsters (and some adults like me) this one was a messy eater. At first I thought this bird might have some kind of growth on its lower mandible but when I zoomed in on the high-resolution version of the image it was clearly just food debris.
I’ll admit to being disappointed that I wasn’t able to get any really nice photos of snazzy-looking adult males in breeding plumage this year.
Maybe next year…
Ron
That flared tail is amazing. Love the white tips too.
My own far from stylish self would be very, very happy to be as scruffy as these little charmers.
I’m very happy with that particular style too, EC. Thanks.
Lovely photos, as always, Ron! I saw a juvie Towhee in my yard in Eugene, Oregon about a month ago
and it made me so happy…I had never ever seen one before. And how amazing to learn that they only
have their juvie plumage for a few short weeks; that means it was extra special to see the little one.
Thanks, as always, for what I learn from you every day..Cheers!
Yes, that seems like a pretty short time to retain their juvenile plumage, Karen. Congrats on your sighting.
I love seeing these stages of development! They still have adorable baby faces too. Not many notice it. I have working in a rehab setting, but when I see it in the wild it always makes me smile. I also like watching their awkwardness while learning the ropes of being a bird.
Many birds have white corners on their tails, hummingbirds, juncos, grosbeaks are a few that come to mind. I have wondered if there is a reason other than a beautiful contrast to attract mates attention.
April, As far as I know Spotted and Eastern Towhees are the only North American towhees (out of 6 species) to have white corners on their tails. And out of the species you mention, juncos for example, some don’t really have “white corners” because it’s more than just the corners that are white. In juncos the entire outer tail feathers are white from the end of the feather to the base of the tail, not just the corners. I’ve wondered about the reason too.
I think these are dandy shots! I especially like the takeoff shot for the flared wing and tail and also for the look of concentration on the bird’s face. To me, it looks like the bird is trying to remember exactly what to do — sort of like I did when I was first learning to drive a stick shift (I know, anthropomorphize much there, Marty? 😇).
As for the reference to the recent shot of the photographer, I think he’s adorable and am glad the mystery of the tshirt has been cleared up for this reader.
Marty, I have about a half-dozen Monkey Wrench Gang T-shirts of various designs. When I wear them out I go back and get more.
Hope you’re enjoying some rest after your grueling schedule lately.
Fantastic series Ron! Thanks for sharing!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
I assumed the Spotted Towhees on the ground beneath the feeders were adults but now I’ll have to look more closely for that scruffy/buffy look. Thanks for this instructional series.
I’d be interested to know what you find out, Lyle.
Definitely scroungy-looking birds, but nice anyway. I’ve had the privilege of watching Eastern Towhees scratching around for food, but if I’ve ever seen a Spotted Towhee, it’s just been a flash as it flew by, or took off. I’m glad to see all of this series.
Thank you, Susan.
Nice photos Ron. They sure do fall short of their elders beauty wise. Adults are very handsome birds. We have them everywhere I go this time of the year. My wife who is Hispanic, can of course roll her rrrrrrrrrr’s and can do a perfect imitation of the Towhee’s shrill call. Good shot with the tail feathers.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Wish I could hear your wife’s imitation, Everett. Thank you.
Cute! 🙂 They are plentiful here this year and, like these, most are looking “ratty” right now. They are fun to watch. 🙂 The long tails and, at times, twitchy movements do make them a challenge to photograph! Congrats on capturing them! 🙂 About the only reason I see them much is they like to cruise below the bird feeder for “leftovers” 😉 They do make quite a racket in the leaves/brush as do the brown thrashers we also have this time of year.
I’m jealous of your Brown Thrashers, Judy. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen one. You look to be right on the edge of their range in your area of MT.
Fairly large rusty bird with a long tail that moves and acts like the Towhee’s in many ways. Seem not to show up until early/mid-summer – spooky and mainly see “flashes” of them. 🙂
Neat captures! I can not pick a favorite, I like them all. They are a bit disheveled looking lacking the polish of adulthood but…they sure are cute! I know what you mean by the ‘surprise in the bushes’…you have to be patient with your wait to see who and what may pop out. The fox sparrow you posted the other day is another that sounds like a dozen squirrels wrestling in the bushes! 😃 I wish the Towhee (we have the Eastern) were more plentiful here; they are not exactly shy but certainly are not photo-hogs. They always are a most pleasant surprise to see! On the photographer…I tend to find most ‘birders’ are a bit eccentric. Did I miss some chocolate on your garb? 😊
“sounds like a dozen squirrels wrestling in the bushes”
I like your squirrel analogy better than my deer, Kathy. But since there are deer in the area that’s what always comes to mind for me.
Actually I didn’t have a donut for breakfast that morning (I ate before I left home) because it wasn’t a bird photography trip. My only intention was to photograph the Wildlife Center. Besides I’d be careful to avoid getting chocolate on my Monkey Wrench Gang T-shirt…
Good morning, Ron. These are such wonderful photos. I have encountered Towhees only a few times here in Brooklyn, but those were memorable and I did not get any good photos. I love seeing the juveniles evolve in both behavior and plumage color. I adore the takeoff photo with the tail feathers shown. Thank you.
Thanks, Miriam. I don’t believe I have any other photos of this species with its tail flared so for me at least it’s both interesting and appealing.