Eastern Towhee (Rufous-sided Towhee)

The Eastern Towhee is a large, striking sparrow with bold black upperparts, rich rufous flanks, and clean white underparts. Their tail feathers are prominently flashed during territorial displays, featuring stark white tips on the outer rectrices.

Solid deep black/dark charcoal base with a prominent, clean white patch at the distal tip of the inner web.

Pennaceous vane with tightly interlocked barbs and barbules, showing firm structure and minimal fraying.

Smooth, firm, and matte texture with strong interlocking barbs creating a rigid vane suitable for steering during flight.

Solid black vane contrasting sharply with a bright white terminal patch on the outer tail feather.

Brushy thickets, overgrown fields, scrubby woodlands, forest edges, and overgrown brush piles.

Resident and breeding across the eastern half of the United States and southeastern Canada.

Acts as an important seed disperser and insect predator in brushy understory habitats, also serving as a frequent host for brood parasites like the Brown-headed Cowbird.

Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus), which has white spotting on the back and wing coverts; other large sparrows lack the bold white tail tip pattern.

Eastern Towhees get their common name from their characteristic, loud call note which sounds like 'drink-it-weed' or 'towhee'.

Good condition with slight wear at the very tip, intact barbs, and no visible parasitic damage.