How to Attract Towhees: Eastern and Spotted
Towhees are large sparrows with black hoods, rusty sides, and white bellies. Eastern towhees live in the East, and spotted towhees, with white spots on their backs, live in the West. Both feed on the ground, kicking through leaves for food.
What towhees eat
Towhees eat seeds, insects, and berries. Millet and sunflower hearts scattered on the ground under shrubs are the best way to feed them.
Sunflower seeds with the shells already removed. No mess on your patio or deck, and no waste, because birds eat every piece.
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Check price on Amazon for Woodlink 3-in-1 Platform Feeder (opens Amazon)Leave the leaves
Towhees hop forward and kick backward with both feet to uncover food. A layer of fallen leaves under shrubs gives them a natural feeding spot.
Plant thick cover
Dense shrubs, thickets, and brushy edges are essential. Towhees rarely venture far from cover.
Frequently asked questions
What does an eastern towhee say?
Its song sounds like “drink your tea!” and its call is a rising “chewink.”
Do towhees use hanging feeders?
Rarely. They feed on the ground, so scatter seed near shrubs.
Are towhees sparrows?
Yes, they're large members of the sparrow family.
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