photoprofile. The declining trend that began in the mid-1900s continues today, as documented by the most recent BBS data. [17][19][20][21] Mean number of breeding eastern towhees (0.70 bird/50-m radius) and nest success rate (58%) were higher in a 15-year-old clearcut in West Virginia, than in other treatments, including a stand of yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), black cherry, red maple, sugar maple (Acer saccharum), and white ash (Fraxinus americana) that was not harvested. [24] Yahner [22] found the average density of eastern towhees over 6 habitat types was significantly (p<0.05) positively correlated with density of short (2–5 foot (0.5–1.5 m)) shrubs. Eastern towhees spend most of their time on the ground or in low shrubs foraging for seeds, insects and fruit (National Wildlife Federation). [20], Although eastern towhees generally prefer young successional sites, variation between habitat types and years has been observed. 17 July 2016. Wisconsin Birdlife: Population and Distribution Past and Present. The taxonomy of the towhees has been under debate in recent decades, and formerly this bird and the spotted towhee were considered a single species, the rufous-sided towhee. “Breeding season demography and movements of, Eastern Towhees at the Savannah River site, South Carolina.” The Wilson Bulletin 112.2, Maier, Thomas J., and Richard M. DeGraaf. Snakes such as bullsnakes (Pituophis catenifer), rat snakes (Elaphe spp.) Adults have rufous sides, a white belly and a long dark tail with white edges. Due to lower nest success rates of Bachman's sparrow (Aimophila aestivalis) than the previous year, it is suggested that eastern towhee nest success may have been measured during a comparatively poor year. [32], Several studies have addressed the effect of the size of habitat patches on eastern towhees. 1975. Kalamazoo, MI: Kalamazoo Nature Center. Minnesota Birds: Where, When and How Many. The Eastern Towhee was an uncommon species during the Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas (MNBBA). Web. Robbins, Chandler S., Deanna K. Dawson, and Barbara A. Dowell. “Eastern towhee numbers increase following. It’s my intent to share information on current events at Blue Jay Barrens. They scratch at leaves with both feet at the same time often doing noisy, “backwards hops” while searching leaves for food (Cornell Laboratory). Birds of North America. [30] On a site dominated by oaks, primarily black oak (Q. velutina), eastern towhees used oaks in May, as would be expected due to their density. The towhee has only very rarely been observed to feed on any agricultural crops (Bent). [2][7] Egg laying typically occurs until August. Eastern towhees have also been observed preying on the eggs and nestlings of other sparrow species (Maier and De Graaf). In some areas this bird is commonly known as "Chewink," after the sound of its callnote. Hagan, John M., III. 2016. The eastern towhee spends winters across much of eastern U.S. north to Nebraska and southern New England (What Bird). 2011. [36] Each parasitized nest contained 1 brown-headed cowbird egg. Minneapolis: The Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. 2016. Web. Eggs are ovate and glossy, grayish or creamy white and occasionally greenish white with brown spots (Bent). “Decline of the Rufous-sided Towhee in the Eastern United States.” Auk 110: 863–874. There also were summer reports of the birds in Aitkin County (1930) and along the Canadian border. Eastern Towhee. ; imit.] Keller, J (2003). On a site in South Carolina, eastern towhee frequency of occurrence increased as clearcut size increased from <2.5 acres (<1 ha) to clearcut sizes from 21 to about 32 acres (8.5–12.8 ha). Studies also have shown a direct negative correlation between towhee abundance and the percentage of forest canopy cover (Robbins et al. 2016. However, eastern towhee densities did not differ significantly between a 1-year old mixed aspen (Populus tremuloides, P. grandidentata) clearcut, a 5-year old aspen clearcut, and a mature aspen stand. 1985. Of the list published by Hertzel and Janssen in 1998, 6 counties were additions: Becker, Goodhue, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Sherburne, and Wabasha (1 confirmed breeding block straddled Nicollet and Le Sueur Counties). Incubation is mostly or entirely by the female, but both parents feed the nestlings (Audubon). OK. Leck, C; Murray, Bertram G.; Swinebroad, Jeff (1988). Minnesota’s Wildlife Action Plan 2015–2025. However, as Hagan points out, the abundance of the Eastern Towhee in New England in the 1800s and early 1900s may itself have been an artifact of changing landscapes. southern location. ), and corn (Zea mays) in the Northeast and blackberry, oak, panicgrass (Panicum spp. Pipilo erythrophthalmus angl. [11], Compared to nests, adult towhee survival rates are high. Eggs are incubated by the female for 12 or 13 days. In Wisconsin, the Eastern Towhee also was considered an abundant species in the early 1900s. Snapping Turtle Laying Eggs in Ant Hill Again, Wanderin' Weeta (With Waterfowl and Weeds), Strategies for Stewards: from woods to prairies, State Park Cabins Reopen – A Stay at Lake Hope State Park.