California Towhee

Pipilo crissalis
STANFORD LOCATIONS:

Common resident in a variety of habitat types virtually throughout campus. More common and widespread than the Spotted Towhee, foraging more frequently in open habitats and farther from cover than the Spotted. Probably the species most frequently parasitized by the Brown-headed Cowbird on campus.		  
Nest
Location
Nest
Type
Eggs
Mating System
Dev.
Parental Care
Primary &
2ndary Diet
Foraging
Strategy
F
I: 11 DAYS
ALTRICIAL
TREE
4 feet - 12 feet
 (0.5 feet - 35 feet)
?
3-4
(2-6)
MONOG
F: 8 DAYS
MF
INSECTS
FRUIT
BREEDING: Chaparral, riparian thickets, brushland, arid scrub, and around human habitations. 2 or 3 broods.
DISPLAYS: Courting male approaches female with wings drooped and quivering. Male and female "squeal duet" and posture when meeting after being apart within their territory.
NEST: Bulky, of forb stems, twigs, grass, inner bark, lined with fine materials.
EGGS: Bluish-white, marked with brown, purple. 1.0" (25 mm).
DIET: Young fed 100% insects. Drinks morning dew from grass.
CONSERVATION: Winter resident. Uncommon cowbird host (both species). Has spread and increased in abundance as favored edge-type habitat increased through grazing, logging, farming, and suburbanization.
NOTES: Far w populations highly territorial and males aggressively defend against intruders, and reflections in windows and hubcaps! E populations evidence little territorial interaction and appear more peaceable. Female does not flush easily from nest. "Mouse-runs" like other towhees. Young remain with parents 4-6 weeks; driven from territory when next clutch hatches. Differences in behavior, vocalizations, and genetics indicate that populations in CA and OR are distinct from populations e of CA, and are now considered separate species. Formerly called Brown Towhee as was Canyon Towhee.
ESSAYS: Walking vs. Hopping; Territoriality; Species and Speciation; Drinking; Range Expansion.
Zink, 1988.

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Except for Stanford Locations, the material in this species treatment is taken, with permission, from The Birder's Handbook (Paul Ehrlich, David Dobkin, & Darryl Wheye, Simon & Schuster, NY. 1988).