Most birds made themselves scarce during the recent rains. This Canyon Towhee (
Pipilo fuscus) took refuge under truck and sometimes perched on the tire, sheltered by the wheel well. Apparently, this is quite common. My field guide says they hide under cars when disturbed and feed on insects on the grills of cars.
Canyon Towhees are large sparrows found in the dry hill country and desert canyons of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico. When foraging they scratch the ground with both feet simultaneously by lunging forward and then quickly hopping backward. They are also known to hold onto a stem and strip the seeds off all at once with their beak.
Many Canyon Towhees make their nests in poison oak and eat the white berries. They also eat seeds and insects. They are one of the few 'backyard birds' that eat millet.
A group of these birds is known as a "tangle" or a "teapot" of towhees (which I think is funny).
Most birds made themselves scarce during the recent rains. This Canyon Towhee (Pipilo fuscus) took refuge under truck and sometimes perched on the tire, sheltered by the wheel well. Apparently, this is quite common. My field guide says they hide under cars when disturbed and feed on insects on the grills of cars.
Canyon Towhees are large sparrows found in the dry hill country and desert canyons of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico. When foraging they scratch the ground with both feet simultaneously by lunging forward and then quickly hopping backward. They are also known to hold onto a stem and strip the seeds off all at once with their beak.
Many Canyon Towhees make their nests in poison oak and eat the white berries. They also eat seeds and insects. They are one of the few 'backyard birds' that eat millet.
A group of these birds is known as a "tangle" or a "teapot" of towhees (which I think is funny).
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