Many people have heard a distinct bird song that sounds remarkably like someone encouraging them to “drink your tea.” This vocalization often sparks curiosity about which feathered friend is responsible. Identifying this bird provides a fascinating glimpse into the avian world.
Identifying the Eastern Towhee
The bird behind the familiar “drink your tea” song is the Eastern Towhee, scientifically known as Pipilo erythrophthalmus. This large New World sparrow is a striking species, with males typically displaying a bold black head, upper body, and tail, contrasted by rufous sides and a white belly. Females share the rufous sides and white belly but have brown where the male is black. Eastern Towhees are widespread across eastern North America, often found in areas with dense vegetation.
The “Drink Your Tea” Call
The Eastern Towhee’s song is distinctive, often interpreted phonetically as “drink your teeeeea.” It typically lasts about one second, beginning with a sharp, clear note that sounds like “drink,” followed by a trilled sound approximating “your tea.” While the classic song structure is consistent, individual birds may exhibit slight variations.
The male Eastern Towhee uses this song to defend its territory, often singing from a high perch. Beyond this song, Eastern Towhees also produce other vocalizations, including a two-part “chewink” or “tow-hee” call that rises in pitch. These calls serve various communication purposes, such as alarm signals or maintaining contact between individuals.
Where Eastern Towhees Live
Eastern Towhees inhabit brushy areas throughout eastern North America, extending from southern Canada to Florida and westward to parts of the Great Plains. Their preferred habitats include dense undergrowth, forest edges, thickets, and suburban gardens that offer ample shrubs and leaf litter.
These birds are medium-sized, typically measuring between 6.8 to 9.1 inches in length with a wingspan ranging from 7.9 to 11.8 inches. While most populations have red eyes, some found in the southeastern United States possess yellow eyes. Their size, combined with their characteristic coloration, helps them blend into their preferred dense shrubland environments, making them more often heard than seen. They spend a significant portion of their time on or near the ground, where they find most of their food.
What Eastern Towhees Do
Eastern Towhees are primarily ground foragers, known for their unique method of searching for food. They employ a characteristic “towheeing” behavior, using both feet simultaneously to kick backward through leaf litter, uncovering insects and seeds hidden beneath. Their diet is omnivorous, consisting of a variety of insects, berries, and seeds, which varies seasonally.
During the breeding season, Eastern Towhees form monogamous pairs. Females construct cup-shaped nests either directly on the ground or in low bushes, typically less than five feet high. The female incubates the eggs, usually numbering between two and six, for about 12 to 13 days. Both parents participate in feeding the young after they hatch, with nestlings typically leaving the nest 10 to 12 days later.
These birds generally exhibit a shy temperament, often remaining hidden within dense cover, though males become more conspicuous when singing to defend their territories.