Green-tailed Towhee Perched On A Blooming Utah Serviceberry

Green-tailed Towhee perched on a Utah Serviceberry – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I spent some time up in the canyons of the Wasatch Mountains yesterday photographing the birds I found including this handsome Green-tailed Towhee perched on a blooming Utah Serviceberry. This time of year Green-tailed Towhees are singing from the tops of shrubs and bushes to attract mates and it is about the only time of the year I find them out in the open as easily and as often as I do, the rest of the year I have to get really lucky to find these skulking birds of the sparrow family. I keep hoping to find some juvenile Green-tailed Towhees later in the breeding season but so far I haven’t been that fortunate.

I heard this towhee singing before I spotted him perched in the serviceberry and even though he was further away than I would have preferred I liked this photo because of the setting and because the bird wasn’t hidden by branches. Shortly after this photo was taken the towhee moved to another part of the serviceberry.

Only the male Green-tailed Towhees sing which is how I know this bird is a male. Listen to a Green-tailed Towhee singing here.

I took a lot more photos of this towhee after he moved to the other section of the serviceberry and I probably shouldn’t have because I don’t think I will be keeping any of those since my view of the bird was obstructed by some branches that were in front of him. It is okay though because I am very happy with this image.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Green-tailed Towhee photos plus facts and information about this species.