Towhee Tiff

Towhee Tiff

My husband and I have been hearing the “dot-dot-deeee!” call of the male spotted towhee for months now. Honestly, towhees are more common around here than American robins.

But now, breeding season is getting serious. We were out walking the dogs earlier this week and saw two male towhees in a territorial tiff.

Two spotted towhees are engaged in a territorial tiff on the sidewalk of a suburban street. The action is in the shade, but the backdrop is of a garden half in the sun. Spotted towhees have black hoods, beaks, backs and wings. The wings and outer corners of their tails have white spots. Their sides are rust red with white chests. The bird on the left is in a deep bow. His left wing in spread in front of him, his right is in the air and his tail is stiffly straight up in the air. The bird on the right has leaped into the air. His legs are partially extended as he comes down in what looks like a flying body slam.

I think when we first saw them they had been tussling for a few seconds at least. But here they have some moves worthy of the World Wresting Foundation.

Two spotted towhees are engaged in a territorial tiff on the sidewalk of a suburban street. The action is in the shade, but the backdrop is of a garden half in the sun. The closer bird is standing on the decorative brick of a lawn and has his back to us. He is in a deep bow, and we see his tail feathers spread wide, the white corners of the tail flashing. The farther bird is in the air, diving on the other. His wings are tucked against his sides and this tail is spread. He, too is showing those white corners of his tail feathers. Spotted towhees have black hoods, beaks, backs and wings. The wings and outer corners of their tails have white spots. Their sides are rust red with white chests.

This is such a dramatic picture that I *really* wish it had either been in all sun or all shade, not half and half that confuses the camera, and our eyes. I’ve cropped most of the sun out of the others, but the camera was still confused.

Two spotted towhees are engaged in a territorial tiff on the sidewalk of a suburban street. The action is in the shade, but the backdrop is of a garden half in the sun. These two males have leaped into the air. The lower bird has it's wings and tail spread wider than ever. The upper bird is slightly facing away from us. His wings are back and his tail is spread. His legs are partially extended as if to claw the lower bird. Spotted towhees have black hoods, beaks, backs and wings. The wings and outer corners of their tails have white spots. Their sides are rust red with white chests.

In as much as we could keep track of one bird versus the other, it appeared that the lower bird was getting the worst of the duel.

I am quite sure that the white tips of the outer tail feathers are used for signalling. But I have no idea what the signal is. Maybe it changes with the moment.

Two spotted towhees are engaged in a territorial tiff on the sidewalk of a suburban street. The bird on the left is facing the other bird. His wings are pulled back behind him unnaturally, and his tail is stiff behind him. The bird on the right is fully extended as he has leaped into the air. His legs are fully, stretched completely out. His wings are thrown back and above his head. He can't make himself any bigger. Spotted towhees have black hoods, beaks, backs and wings. The wings and outer corners of their tails have white spots. Their sides are rust red with white chests.

The bird on the left looks like it is doing a juvenile display, begging for food. The other male isn’t having it.

Both male towheess are on the ground. One is facing us, standing tense but in a normal position. The other has his back to us, his black tail pressed stiff into the concrete. The white corners are just visible. Spotted towhees have black hoods, beaks, backs and wings. The wings and outer corners of their tails have white spots. Their sides are rust red with white chests.

Again the near bird seems a little submissive.

Two spotted towhees are engaged in a territorial tiff. The action is in the shade, but the backdrop is of a garden half in the sun. These two males have leaped into the air. the closer bird has his back to us and is higher. His legs are partially extended in attack. The lower bird is facing us. His wings are back and his tail is skewed to the side. Spotted towhees have black hoods, beaks, backs and wings. The wings and outer corners of their tails have white spots. Their sides are rust red with white chests.

But no! Testosterone kicks in for one more attempt to displace the other male!

Territorial tiff between the two spotted towhees is over. Both males are on the ground. The loser is running away from the winner, his black tail held stiff and high to display the white edges. Spotted towhees have black hoods, beaks, backs and wings. The wings and outer corners of their tails have white spots. Their sides are rust red with white chests.

But after that round, it was over. One male ran off in defeat, while the other strutted slowly behind him.

Amy Law

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5 responses to “Towhee Tiff”

  1. 9uh73gremlin Avatar
    9uh73gremlin

    Wow! Great photos!

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    1. Amy Law Avatar
      Amy Law

      Thanks, Nina! It was quite a show! I just wish I hadn’t been shooting into shadow with a background of bright sunlight. But you don’t always get to chose, and I’m happy I got the shots I did. 🙂

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  2. Tails Around the Ranch Avatar
    Tails Around the Ranch

    Great action shots, Amy. ESPN could be calling. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. Martha Johnston Avatar
    Martha Johnston

    Quite a show, Amy! So glad you caught it. That final shot in the sequence is hilarious — apparently, defeated male towhees to not hold their tails between their legs. Seriously, those towhee tails carry a lot of communication!

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    1. Amy Law Avatar
      Amy Law

      I know — I love the towhee running away with it’s tail in the air! It was such a picture of defeat, I felt rather sorry for it.

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