Adult Green-tailed Towhee portrait – Nikon D500, f8, 1/800, ISO 320, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Green-tailed Towhees are migratory so I don’t see them year round in Utah like I do their close relatives the Spotted Towhees. Green-tailed Towhees spend their winters in the southern most parts of the U.S. and in Mexico and I miss seeing a hearing them while they are away. I’ve checked eBird and there have been a few sightings of these large, rufous crowned sparrows and I can’t wait to see my my first one of the year. Last week I thought I heard one up in the mountains but I can’t be 100% sure when the calls are from a long distance and there is road noise I have to listen over. I know for certain I heard and saw Spotted Towhees but couldn’t get photos of them.
Last year at the end of May I photographed a very cooperative male Green-tailed Towhee who sang his heart out for quite some time and even came in close enough to take a series of portraits of him that showed beautiful details in his feathers. I’ve found these birds to be easier to photograph in the spring when the males are singing on their territories courting any females who might be around because they sing from the tops of shrubs and bushes. They forage on the ground and can be very difficult to see because they blend in so well in their habitat.
Listen to the call and song of a Green-tailed Towhee here.
Green-tailed Towhee in a mountain canyon – Nikon D500, f10, 1/640, ISO 320, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I think these large sparrows are quite handsome with their rufous crowns, white throat markings, dark mustache stripes, dark brown eyes, greenish backs, wings and tails. When excited they raise their rufous crowns and they can look as if they are crests. The towhee above was excited about something when I took photos of him in an alpine canyon.
I wonder when and where I will see and photograph my first Green-tailed Towhee this year. I can’t wait.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Green-tailed Towhee photos plus facts and information about this species.
You continue to amaze me with the color and detail you are able to capture in these Towhee shots. I can practically count every feather. Truly stunning. Thanks Mia. .
I am really looking forward to you seeing and photographing these charmers again too.
Would love to see one of these birds in the wild…but to see detsils, this is probzbly as good as it gets…especially like the second image. Thanks…..
What a BEAUTY! Thank you SO much for sharing and I hope you find them in your area again soon!
BeUtiful photos, Mia.
Gorgeous images.
I miss seeing them since we moved from the mountains of New Mexico. they are so active and alert, and so colorful especially in good light. Your photos are very nice!
What a beautiful bird.