Including the bird that was my original “spark bird” back in 1969.
In the last week or two I’ve had more ‘unusual’ birds in my yard than ever before. The presence of most of them, though not all, is due to migration and I’ve been able to document several of them with photos.
This male Black-headed Grosbeak (in basic plumage) first showed up about ten days ago and since then he made semi-regular appearances for about a week. Unless he’s on my feeder he’s quite shy so usually he’s buried in vegetation.
This one time he landed on one of my tomato cages on his way to the feeder. This is the best photo I’ve been able to get of him.
For the first 30 years I lived in this house, California Quail were fairly common in my yard but about 2 1/2 years ago they just stopped coming. I haven’t seen any since then, until two days ago when a covey of seven quail showed up in my backyard. For that reason, I’m considering them “unusual”.
Most were females or young birds.
This is the adult male, the only one in the covey.
I took photos of the quail as they moved from my garden to the fence on the east side of my house. But at one point, one of the female quail came dangerously close to a rat trap I had hidden in thick vegetation, so I impulsively rushed toward them to retrieve the trap. Which flushed the quail to the other side of the fence and into my neighbor Shane’s garden.
Both Shane and his wife Kimmy are birders and Shane is a bird photographer so they were as excited to see the quail as I was. When I sat down at my patio again and looked over into their yard…
this is what I saw – Shane and Kimmy watching and photographing the quail, which were in their garden and directly between us. I’m not sure if Kimmy was pointing at the quail or at me.
The best kind of community birding.
Two days ago, in the middle of the day, I saw a small sparrow-like bird deep in the shadows of my garden. At first I thought it was just another House Finch but something about its erect posture and the way it was scratching in the dirt made “Green-tailed Towhee” come to mind. In fact, I said out loud “Damn, could that be a Green-tailed Towhee?”.
But I immediately dismissed the possibility because my yard comes nowhere near the preferred habitat of the species (semi-open shrubby sagebrush in mountains and high desert) and I’d never seen one in my yard. And I certainly never expected to.
Then, nearly four hours later, in early evening,…
I got this shot of what I presume was the same bird and yes, it was a Green-tailed Towhee! “He” never did face me but his distinctive red cap and greenish wings and tail were obvious. After I got this shot he disappeared.
I was so excited I camped out on my patio with my lens aimed at my garden for most of the afternoon and into the evening until it was nearly dark, in hopes of him making another appearance. When it was almost dark the towhee eventually showed up again but I’d have missed seeing him if it hadn’t been for…
this rat that was digging for food next to a small volunteer amaranth plant. While I was watching the rat and planning its demise I spotted the towhee only a few feet away…
inside one of my unused tomato cages.
Note: These last six towhee photos were taken in extremely low light so in order to maintain some kind of reasonable shutter speed I was shooting at very high ISO’s, sometimes as high as ISO 5000. As a result, some of these photos are quite noisy.
When towhees scratch for food, debris goes flying. I’ve cropped this photo into this composition to show more of that flying debris (mostly grass clippings).
Sometimes he almost disappeared into the holes he was digging.
He rarely held still like this.
They typically scratch with both feet at the same time, as he’s doing here. It’s a pretty neat trick when you think about it.
This is probably the best shot I got to show most of the key field marks of Green-tailed Towhees, including red cap (semi-erect here), greenish wings and tail, white throat and gray body.
Readers know from previous posts that Green-tailed Towhees were my field study species when I took an ornithology class at the University of Utah way back in 1969. For three months I spent many dozens of hours in the field, binoculars in hand, studying the nesting habits and behaviors of Green-tailed Towhees. That experience turned me into a bird lover, making Green-tailed Towhees my “spark bird”.
I can’t begin to tell you how exciting it was for me to see one in my yard.
Ron
Notes:
- My Green-tailed Towhee study area back in 1969 is now at the bottom of Little Dell Reservoir.
- I got more photos of the towhee last night at about the same time (when it was nearly dark) so he’s still hanging around.
- A female Western Tanager has also been in my yard sporadically for a few days. Late yesterday I ALMOST got photos of her, but no cigar.
- An observation. I owe migration for many of these sightings. Migration is hard on birds and it’s a perilous journey but it sure is a boon for birders.
- Holy moly, I just looked outside and the towhee is still out there (8:07 AM). In better light too.
Great set of visitor shots, birds I’d otherwise never see.
Thanks, Brian.
Late to the party, Ron, but love that you captured the Towhee two-step! We had one in St. Louis in October 2024 that was a very well documented visitor! Such a dapper little bird. I’m eagerly anticipating the return of White-crowned Sparrows for the winter. Always nice to see FP in my inbox. Thanks for posting today.
Thanks, Diane. I believe I saw an adult WC Sparrow in my yard about five days ago. It’s pretty rare for me to see them there so I took notice. I never did confirm the sighting for sure.
Enjoyed all the birds, but especially the Green-tailed Towhee. I have always enjoyed them, but residing in the east, don’t see them very often. Thank you.
Thanks, Tony. I wasn’t aware that they’re found in the east at all.
Forgot…..We had tons of quail in Bountiful. They would come out of the oak, walk around the yard – and even on the driveway, sidewalk and street – all the little ones following the mama bird (I presume). We loved them – and then – when they built up above us – we never saw them again.)::
Overdevelopment – don’t you love it!
Wow! Amazing – and such good shots – especially the last one. I have never seen – nor heard of this bird – so THANKS for the education. I think the birds must love you as much as you love them!!
“I think the birds must love you as much as you love them!!”
Thanks Judy. That’s a nice thought but birds treat me poorly (by not cooperating) more often than they treat me well. 🙂
Fabulous.
Outstanding.
Loved it all. Perfect afternoon read!
Thanks so much Ron.
Thanks very much, Nina.
The best birds and the best fun! I’m especially fond of that first pic of the GTT because I too had a wayward traveler in my backyard for quite a few days in late Dec 2021 (in time to be added to our local Christmas Bird Count). Such a smart-looking fella with his beautiful red top hat and green wings & tail! 😎
Then there’s your gorgeous grosbeak, one of my very favorite springtime visitors—they never stay here for long and often are well-hidden but I truly enjoy their melodious song as they hang out in the neighbor’s giant, leafy trees.
Quail are never seen in my yard or neighborhood, rats also pretty rare now (peanut butter in “bird-friendly” traps over 2 summers did the trick)… so I envy you the former but definitely not the latter! 😉
Thank you for posting these happy pics on this most unsettling day. And I hope your towhee gives you many more photo opps in the coming days! ❤️
You’re lucky, Chris. I haven’t heard a peep out of my grosbeak. Probably because it isn’t springtime.
The raised red crest on the towhee with its back to you is beautiful – looks like the flower of a giant clover we get up here in the shrub-steppe of central WA. So exciting that he is enjoying your yard for a few days.
Flushing the quail into your neighbor’s yard made me laugh – “my” quail forage like mad in my yard, then move to the south end of the yard and “fence-up” on my neighbor’s beautiful wooden fence. It’s a great opportunity to count them, as they clumsily fly from the ground to the top of the fence posts, sit there in a row for a minute or so, then flop down into my neighbor’s yard or fly off to their evening roosting grounds. Right now there are a lot of youngsters in the covey, and they are even clumsier than the adults – it sometimes takes them 2-3 tries to get onto the fence. Love them!
And your ratty had a purpose – to bring your attention to the Towhee! Good ratty😄
“And your ratty had a purpose – to bring your attention to the Towhee! Good ratty.”
No matter, Carolyn. That rat’s days are numbered. Even its hours.
Hey there. I’ve been out of commission for a bit. Apparently my warranty ran out at 65. Many medical appointments. Still trying to untangle all the issues. Fun times!
I love that little Towhee. Such neat little guys.
Thanks, Arwen. You must have a similar warranty to mine. Best of luck with all your appointments.
I enjoyed your photo’s and commentary. I have not seen a Green- tailed Towhee yet, so the photo’s are appreciated.
Thank you, Linda. Glad you enjoyed them both.
Great post, Ron. I love the photos of, and your excitement at seeing, the Green-tailed Towhee. And very thoughtful of you to send those quail over the fence to support community birding.
“And very thoughtful of you to send those quail over the fence to support community birding.”
Bill, I’d do almost anything for Shane and Kimmy. But deliberately sending “my” birds over to their yard would be asking just a little too much. 🙂
😆 Yep, understood.
Fun time Ron – we have numerous Spotted Towhees visiting
the yard, but have never seen a Green-tailed here or when
I am out. Hope all is well.
Thanks, Everett. Someday I hope you get to see a Green-tailed.
Well, this was a treat!
Curious how the quail went missing for a time. But how nice they have returned. Nice shot of the neighbors. Look like nice folks. Really like that tripod setup he has there. The Green-tailed Towhee sure is a handsome bird. How gratifying it must have been to have your spark bird come for a visit.
Seasons are changing, though it is hard to appreciate with how hot it has been here in SoCal. But the bird activity and change of light tells the story. Looking forward to the months ahead when we start to see some migrants.
Love your work Ron. Keep it up.
“Look like nice folks.”
They are, Michael. I couldn’t ask for better neighbors. And friends.
I’m not sure why the quail weren’t around for so long. I wasn’t seeing them elsewhere in the neighborhood either.
Thanks for the great backyard bonanza! I have never seen a Green-tailed Towhee. We get a lot of California and Spotted Towhees here which are a delight. Loved the flying debris shot.
“I have never seen a Green-tailed Towhee.”
And I’ve never seen a California Towhee, not even when I lived there (that I remember). Thanks, Brett.
What exciting finds, especially the visit from your Spark Bird, Ron.
BTW, the “she” is a “he” BHGR. It’s just in basic plumage. One of my favorites.
Nanci
“BTW, the “she” is a “he” BHGR. It’s just in basic plumage.”
I wondered about that. Thanks, Nancy. I’ll make the correction.
Neat! Suspect the fires and storms may be throwing some birds off their normal migration routes. Dozen or so of medium sized hawks of some sorts in a field near here this last week. Nothing unusual here though “timing” of arrivals and summer activities has been off all summer.
My “cheap” entertainment last evening was an unusual number of moths of various sizes and gnats by the outside light and some VERY busy spiders trying to add to webs and eat in at the same time.
25 years doesn’t seem possible – one of those “yesterday” and “forever” ago for WTC.
Judy, nothing wrong with cheap entertainment – no matter the source.
I clearly remember being in the classroom with some of my Honors Biology students when the twin towers were attacked. The rest of the day is a blur of anger, terror and wondering how to handle my classes. We ended up mostly watching developments on TV. I’ll never forget that day.
I was at work when a co-worker came in saying the N tower had been hit. Was a WOW! but full impact didn’t hit until the S tower was hit and then the Pentagon. We were not allowed to watch on the computers so radio was it until a few folks came up with a TV or 2. Just unreal with the mix of anger/fear and wondering what was next…..
Just as I got into my classroom that morning, the phone rang, and it was Tom telling me to turn on the TV. I was on the phone with him talking about what might have happened when the second plane flew into the second tower. The rest of the day was exactly as you said, but I had the added fear of having family in NYC and not being able to make contact with any of them for several hours, and also trying to keep my mother from completely falling apart over her inability to reach my brother. I will never forget that day.
What a rewarding day for you ! When I lived in Prescott, each
morning, I was awakened not only by the “Dawn Chorus”, but
by the accompanying “percussion” of what I thought of as “jump-
scratch”, Jump-scratch ! “– athletic towhees……I do miss that .
Yes, towhees are famous for their jump-scratch. Spotted Towhees too. Thanks, Kris.
I really enjoyed all the pictures, including your neighbors 😊. CA Quail I love, had then in my yard when I lived in the Napa Valley. Black-headed Grosbeak and your “spark bird” were new to me. Great pictures of the Green-tailed Towhee and enjoyed your history with this bird. Such fun for you.
“Such fun for you.”
It sure was, Laurie. And it continues to be, but probably not for long.
Well, at least one of your rats provided some benefit! I’d never heard of a Green-tailed Towhee, and it certainly is an attractive bird. I not only enjoyed the colorful accents in its feathers, it was fun to see the tiny feathers around its eye so clearly. That two-footed scratch must take a good bit of coordination!
“That two-footed scratch must take a good bit of coordination!”
It does, Shoreacres. It also takes coordination (and fast reflexes) from the photographer in order to capture it. Especially in low light with slow shutter speeds.
Thank you for the smiles this morning! I needed something to make me stop thinking about 25 years ago today, and you really got me. I love all these photos (yes, even the ugly rat, although that was a grimace rather than a smile). So great that we get these moments to bring us joy and excitement!
Thanks, Sue. I have plans for that rat…