Collared Towhee
A species of Towhee Scientific name : Pipilo ocai Genus : Towhee
Collared Towhee, A species of Towhee
Botanical name: Pipilo ocai
Genus: Towhee
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Nigel Voaden
Description
The collared towhee (Pipilo ocai) is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae that is endemic to Mexico. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist pine-oak montane forest and heavily degraded former forest. It occupies mountainous terrain from about 1,500 to 3,500 m (4,900 to 11,500 ft). This species, at 21 cm (8.3 in), is a fairly large species. Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 7.9 to 9.2 cm (3.1 to 3.6 in), the relatively short tail is 8.9 to 10.6 cm (3.5 to 4.2 in), the bill is 1.5 to 1.8 cm (0.59 to 0.71 in) and the tarsus is 2.8 to 3.4 cm (1.1 to 1.3 in). Males weigh from 61 to 68 g (2.2 to 2.4 oz) and females from 54.5 to 62.5 g (1.92 to 2.20 oz). In terms of weight, and standard bill and tarsal measurements, this is the largest species of emberizid overall, although related species, including Abert's, canyon and California towhees, outrank the collared towhee in overall length, as well as tail and wing length. In the collared towhee, the chestnut cap, yellowish green upperparts, black cheek and breast band, gray flanks, and white chin are curiously similar to that of the chestnut-capped brush finch, but note the latter's thinner breast band and more golden (not whitish) supercilium. The towhee's trilling song interspersed with chips is also very different from the brush-finche's very high-pitched hissing song.
Size
23 cm
Nest Placement
Shrub
Feeding Habits
Collared Towhee predominantly consumes seeds, fruit, and a variety of small invertebrates including insects, spiders, and millipedes. This bird employs ground foraging techniques, typically scratching at leaf litter. Collared Towhee possesses a unique preference for certain seeds and fruits, which are integral to its diet.
Habitat
Collared Towhee is primarily found in a variety of dense brush habitats including brushy fence rows and the edges of woodlands. These birds are commonly located at elevations ranging from 1500 to 3500 meters. Higher up, collared Towhee can also be observed in coniferous forests, especially those situated above 2400 meters. Their preference leans towards areas where dense undergrowth provides ample shelter and foraging opportunities.
Dite type
Granivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Photo By Nigel Voaden
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
New world sparrows Genus
Towhee Species
Collared Towhee