Wednesday Wings - Rufous-sided Towhee

Rufous-sided Towhees are a little smaller than robins and much less abundant in our yard.

They nest low to the ground or on the ground in brush.

Once the next is built, the male Towhee takes guard duty in the top of a nearby tree where I caught him with the camera.

The female did all the nest building and egg laying. All Mr. Towhee had to do was - well you know - and then sit around, sing, and look handsome. And handsome he is.


The female is brown where the male is black, with the same rufous sides.

Both male and female scratch for their food in a chicken-like motion, scattering seed everywhere.