Rufous-sided Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)

Photos by BarrytheBirder

The Rufous-sided Towhee is a long-tailed robin-sized bird, that occurs widely in forest undergrowth, woodland edges and brushy areas.   It usually feeds on ground in underbrush, foraging noisily in leaf litter by kicking backwards with both feet,   It makes low, short flights from cover to cover.

Rufous-sided Towhees breed from southern British Columbia, east to southern Maine and south to California, northern Oklahoma, eastern Louisiana and Florida.   They winter from southern British Columbia and southern Massachusetts, to lower central U.S., primarily Texas.

Males are primarily black above with a black hood, contrasting with chestnut sides and white underparts.  Females are primarily brown above. 

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BarrytheBirder