Eastern Towhee: NARRATED

[@leahpitman2731]

I just love your commentary on birds!!!!!! I’m in Memphis TN and had my very first towhee today, May 26th. I was thrilled this winter to have white throat sparrow and they stayed well into April! There towhee came and hopped under the feeder eating leftovers! We had recent rain which washed most of seed of my patio! As soon as he left I ran out and threw some more sunflower seeds on the ground!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

It’s fun to get such an enthusiastic description of your experiences with birds, Leah. I am guessing you already watched the movie I made about White-throated sparrows, but if I’m wrong about that, you wouldn’t want to miss it. We have been surprised at not seeing a Towhee yet this year. Oh well, I’m sure at least one will show up in the fall.

[@grannygamerquilter]

Beautiful bird! We have the Rufous-sided western spotted towhees in Colorado. I love how they hop-and-kick to get hidden seed under leaves or snow. Thanks for this informative and well done video.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Yes, I know what you mean about the hopping and kicking. Fox Sparrows are even nicknamed Johnny Kickback for their exaggerated version of it.

[@WinstonBartholomewIII]

I just spotted my first one yesterday and he keeps hanging around my feet are and tried to drink from my hummingbird feeder LOL. Watching him with the Cardinals around the theater and he seems to be a practical joker. The Cardinals chasing away from the feeder and he just loops back every time like he's saying you can't get this you can't get this LOL he lets me get much closer to him than the other birds in such a cool little dude. I came here just to learn more about him.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I hope the video helped you learn more, but I'd also say that it sounds like you're learning plenty on your own. That's the most fun.

[@ximenabaughman3592]

I have a couple of those guys eating under my feeders. They are beautiful and very friendy. Once again thank you for your lovely videos!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

🌈🌹

[@GAILandROD]

Thank you...I always get a few of these in very cold snowy weather. They eat right out in the open and love the cardinal feed. They are really beautiful!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Oh yes, they are handsome. Little devils.

[@adrienne4091]

When I spotted my first Towhee, I thought it was a hybrid Robin LOL I also thought Junco at first. Loved your video.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Of course you thought it was some kind of Robin at first! Who wouldn’t? Until you get a closer look, of course. I’m glad you liked the video and thanks for commenting.

[@koreycowan1976]

I live in Alabama... I've been putting out a corn peanut and sunflower seed mixture out... so today I saw one of these birds... I thought it was a oriel... lol... it must have liked the sunflower seeds.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Sunflower seeds were what drew him to our feeder, Korey--that, and the woods adjoining our yard.

[@robertcornelius3514]

I have one, and only one, that visits me here in eastern Sierras. He really stands out from the others.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Same here: one at a time and what a standout he is.

[@pattimerrill9688]

Thanks.I love to learn about birds.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

And I love to learn and then pass it along. I hope you’ll check out some more of my movies. That’s what they all have in common.

[@vinceraven1501]

I've never seen one before, but, that sound is very known.. Here in Georgia, yesterday I saw a bird similar to this, but, it was pretty good size, almost solid black, had bright orange eyes & almost no white color at all on it. Still can't find what it was anywhere because I can't find anything that looks just like it. More resembled a spotted towhee, but again, hardly any white color. Shining jet black, burnt orange shoulders on its wings, chest & the brightest burnt orange eyes. I grew up in the country here in Georgia & I've never ever seen a bird like it before. I still don't know what it was, but, it was a beautiful critter. 🤔

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Sorry, but I don’t know either. I even asked my husband, who knows 10 times more about birds than I do, and he couldn’t help - except to suggest that you install the Merlin app on your phone and ask it if it can ID the bird.

[@iamksvignesh]

This bird has nested in our house

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Nice! We don't get them nesting in St. Louis. Where do you live?

[@LocustIvy]

June 2023……I am worried. I didn’t see a towhee and I still haven’t seen on spring/supper (in a few days).

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I don’t know, of course, what happened where you are. I do know that because of habitat loss and pesticides that kill the bugs birds depend on, bird species are disappearing all too rapidly. 😔

[@ronpennington2092]

I have two here at my feeders each day. They only eat from the ground

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Yep, down there where you can get a good look at these handsome devils, right?

[@willyounts3308]

hi Jo, I love the towhee. I wanted to mention: I have always thought of the towhee's name as an onomatopoeia for its call. I think it sounds just like they do!! especially if you whisper it and make "hee" go upward in pitch!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I never thought of it, but I agree, Will.

[@nikiprudian9624]

I just found you and I already LOVE ya! Info is great and your voice is out of the park awesome!!!!!! Thank you thank you thank you!!!!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Niki, somehow I missed this comment earlier. My apologies, because it's a welcome and--to use your word-- awesome compliment. Thank you, thank you, thank you. And welcome to my channel. I've got some intriguing films in the pipeline. Stay tuned.

[@nikiprudian9624]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME wow! Thank you for the, well, thanks! I never expected a personal comment from you - 😊 I am new to all this but obsessed! You have already helped and informed me so much and I continue to learn and enjoy - as does my mom. She has Alzheimer’s and one of the things we both still truly enjoy together is the birds. Your videos help me show her things in such a wonderful way. Thanks again and believe me - I enjoy them all and will stay tuned!!! 🙏

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@nikiprudian9624 I like knowing that my movies lighten your Mother's Day and give you something to enjoy with her. Both those things are hard to achieve when people suffer from Alzheimer's. Do you mostly watch birds in your yard, or are you also going out into the field a lot?

[@erikjohnson2776]

Thanks for the helpful video! Saw my first Eastern Towhee today! Was elated.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Oh, I'll bet you WERE elated, Erik. I've been seeing them every two or three days in the woods near our house. Any time my husband or I sees one, we tell the other--cuz it's a little thrill to be shared.

[@carlayoung3987]

Erik Johnson I saw my first one yesterday,7/16/20!!!!

[@Flipclockfans]

Nicely done.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thanks.

[@martimouse2228]

Delightful!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thanks, Marti.

[@martimouse2228]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME By the way, I can't find any info on whether or not Towhees eat worms. Do you know? It's a song idea.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

No, Marti, I'm sorry, but I don't know for sure. They're seed eaters mainly, but birds vary their diet a lot from their main source of food.

[@martimouse2228]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Thanks for the reply, Jo. I actually witnessed a California Towhee eat a worm just the other day so I guess I got my answer (assuming Easterns behave the same). Maybe they are opportunistic and don't bother asking grubs and worms which one they are. xD

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I'm not surprised, Marti, that you saw a Towhee eating a worm. I often see "seed eaters" eating insects or fruit and "carnivores" eating seeds and fruit. Most birds vary their diet.

[@bruzote]

I am trying to identify something that looks like a towhee, but it seemed to be totally white underneath, black above (including full hood down through throat), black bill and eyes, faint white leading edge at shoulder, notable white patch on wing further back (primaries?), white edge to tail, and (only kind of sure about this), the undertail looked like the towhee. So, IIRC, the patches on the wing looked different (less stripey) but maybe I didn't get a good memory on that. However, I distinctly only saw black and white. I do have red-green color deficiency, but it would be odd to not see that towhee color at all! I have been overwhelmed today by new birds in my yard. A Tennessee (unusual according to eBird) ID'd by BirdNet call (multiple times, confidence level "almost certain") plus visual confirmation the bird looks LIKE a Tennessee, plus Magnolia, others, so I am overwhelmed. Still, I REALLY want to confirm I saw a black-white only bird, no rudddy/red/orange.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

That is one careful description you offered, but I can't help you. I read it to my husband, who is far more experienced at birdwatching than I am. His response was that without a picture he just doesn't know. I've been getting so many more comments from people about birds they've never seen before, and I think it must be because so many people are home on account of the virus. At least you are paying attention to what is showing up and enjoying it. Wish I could have helped.

[@MHarenArt]

I saw my first one this past summer at our National Park in the shrubbery in the forest. I had NO Idea what it was, but did indeed think it must be related to a sparrow, as it looked like one with color! Went home to research it and found it was a Towhee!!!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Isn't it satisfying to find the bird yourself and then FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS YOURSELF?! Congratulations, Maggie. (And good for you for figuring "sparrow".)

[@notsogga]

Great video! Also, do you have a video on waxwings i can watch?

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thanks, Dylan. I do have one about Waxwings, but it's just a short little thing (kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmmsm4OBf5qjbKs) because they don't come around often enough for me to get much footage.

[@shawfestify]

Good job, and I loved the tag-along Robin, and Sparrow. Those three + cardinal pairs and mourning doves were last night’s after-work cup-of-coffee serenade! My wife and I do not even have bird-journals, yet, but we ought to. We love them, and appreciate the free accompaniment when sitting on the back porch. We had to look up the big pretty one on the ground. I wondered how to say, Towhee, which brought me to your nice video. Thank you. I must say-this is the ONLY video I have seen where the comments did not instantly devolve into what must be packs of psychopaths with fake internet names threatening violence due to opposing political views! Genius. Just try reading comments on any news story, any subject. On second thought-stick to listening to birds; it is more worthwhile in every way. I like people. Just not on the Internet. Cheers to you :-)

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

What an entertaining comment you wrote, Shawn. As for internet psychopaths, I'm too familiar with the phenomenon, having spent seven years as a left wing political blogger--gave up all that anger for something that soothes my soul! And you and your wife are just the kind of people I make these movies for, folks who are interested in nature but could use some help learning about it. In fact, I'm learning about birds as I go. If you haven't subscribed to my channel, may I suggest that you do? I have over 200 films, all short and all fun/educational.

[@frogmancometh1430]

i always love learning about birds, and you make such entertaining videos for it !

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thank you! Those are the two aims I always have in mind.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

By the way, it's time for me to ask: why is your screen name 'Frog Man Cometh'?

[@frogmancometh1430]

Jo Alwood :) my Instagram name is frog_guy2112 so I thought I'd make it similar and reference the old play Ice Man cometh. I also love frogs

[@CliveBramham]

I really enjoyed this!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I'm very glad to hear that, Clive--want you to feel your footage contributed to something worthwhile.

[@donnawadsworth-brown6351]

Beautifully done! Captivating. . .and I'm not a bird-watcher. Maybe I will become one. I love the narrator's voice and easy listening observations.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

What a treat to hear from you, Donna! And I appreciate the praise, especially since it's coming from "not a bird-watcher". I'm guessing the other thing you'll like about my movies is that most of them have music, and when it comes to that, you ARE in the know.

[@davidh4555]

First time coming across your channel. Love the video! Very Informative thank you! New subscriber now :D

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

It's nice to hear that that you appreciate the video and even subscribed, David. Thanks for writing to let me know. And as a subscriber, you have access to about 225 videos. Feel free to browse. Next Tuesday morning, I'll publish a video about American White Pelicans herding fish. I'm excited. It's visually compelling and the script sparkles. Thanks again for commenting.

[@Missrenee21]

I was literally going to reach out to you today to see if you could help me identify this bird that I saw in my yard today. I was able to find it through google after 20 minutes, haha. Love your videos!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

You could've said it looked a lot like a Robin but darker on the back and I'd probably have guessed what it was. My husband and I have been seeing them off and on in the yard and in the woods for the last couple of weeks. The female has a brown back and a lighter orange on the breast. Anyway, glad you like my videos, Miss Reneee.

[@bigdaddyleroy1915]

mockingbird

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

???

[@bigdaddyleroy1915]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME they kinda look same shape aa a mockingbird and they have large vocabulary

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@bigdaddyleroy1915 Ah. Thanks for explaining.

[@dianemurphy2840]

I have one that always eats under the feeders :) Would not have even guessed Sparrow family

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I know, Diane. If I had been guessing, I'd have said the Cardinal family--same beak, same size.

[@jimseifried8416]

Love the Towhee"s

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Oh, I get that, Jimmi.

[@plzhd2]

Thank you!! I am learning so much from you! Any advice of preventing bluebird’s breakfast n dinner I provide of mealworms eaten by, I believe, field sparrows?! I feed all birds but my bluebirds are laying their eggs and I wanna provide for their babies😒.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I wish I could offer you useful tips about how to make sure the bluebirds get their mealworms, but all I can say is put plenty out so that maybe the Field Sparrows won't eat them all. As for learning from me, Soraya, thank you. But I should add that I'm learning too. I'm not really a birder. My husband has been seriously into it for forty years, but I only took a lot of interest when I started filming birds seven years ago. Since I didn't know much to start with, each new bird I film is an education. I observe them closely, read about them, and ask my husband what he knows.So I sound like I know a lot, but my knowledge is mostly confined to what I film.(Of course by now, having made 250 movies, I'm quite a bit less ignorant than I used to be. 🥴)

[@varikvalefor]

I only knew that he, my first eastern towhee, was a sparrow when I first saw him because of the shape of his beak and activity. They seem like sparrows to me!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Obviously, you're a birder. Only someone used to watching birds would have had that reaction.