Unknown passerine - Northern Calif. (1 Viewer)

[ayasuda]

I hope someone can help me. I have don't have a clue as to what this bird might be. The photos are of the same bird. Thanks.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

California Towhee.

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

Agree with Andrew. Either a very young bird or some sort of feather damage on the head.

 

[JANJ]

Hi ayasuda.

Your bird is a California Towhee (Pipilo crissalis)

http://www.pbase.com/tgrey/image/29422920

JanJ

 

[Microtus]

I agree with California Towhee: Fairly uniform and dull brown, with a chestnut/buff shade under the base of the tail and around the face. Long tail & dark, long-ish, big-ish bill.

 

[ayasuda]

Thank you all! I was not expecting a California Towhee to show up. The photo was taken at work and it's located along a marsh.

 

[Larry Lade]

When my wife and I were out in San Diego a few months ago, the California Towhees were just about everywhere we went!

 

[ayasuda]

I don't think this bird comes up much on the central valley birders radar. I'll have to check. Thanks Larry.

 

[chubri777]

Just take a trip over to Ancil Hoffman park where they are so thick you couldn't swing a cat by the tail without hitting one.

 

[djleahy]

I sure saw a lot of towhees out in the Amador Valley area (Pleasanton and Livermore), which has got to have a lot in common with the Central Valley. I would say that I expect to see towhees wherever there is ground.

 

[ayasuda]

Thanks chubri777 and Dave! I'm trying to determine if they are common to this particular location in Solano County. Chubri777, if you can swing my cat that will be an accomplishment.

 

[chubri777]

http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/htm03/ra2003_blue/ra05911.htm

 

[Gentoo]

I've seen this species in most places I've been to in Cali and I've been almost everywhere. Like that map says, they are in the central valley, just in lowers numbers. They are abundant in the coastal areas particularly San Diego and the San Francisco Bay Area. Apparently, they are the ecologically replacement for the Cardinal out here.