The California towhee can be found in chaparral habitats of southern Oregon, quietly flitting in and out of the brush in search of seeds. It is a plain brown bird with a rusty throat patch and undertail coverts. It is noticeably larger than the Spotted towhee. Its long slender tail is also a useful identifying feature. Sexes cannot be told apart in the field, but juveniles can be distinguished by the extensive streaking and spotting of the underparts.

The California towhee is a fairly common permanent resident throughout the Rogue, Applegate, and Illinois Valleys.

Hear the song of the California towhee

Photo by David Barton, Flickr