Collared Towhee
NameCollared Towhee
Common NameCollared Towhee
Scientific NamePipilo ocai
FamilyPasserellidae
Wingspan (cm)26.5
Length (cm)21
Weight (g)45
Plumage DetailsBlack face and bib, rufous (reddish-brown) crown and nape, olive-green back and wings, white belly and undertail coverts, buffy flanks. The bill is bicolored, with a dark upper mandible and paler lower mandible.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include sharp, metallic 'chip' or 'chink' calls, often given repeatedly. Its song is a varied, musical series of notes.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeEndemic to the highlands of central and southern Mexico, typically found in montane pine-oak and evergreen forests.
Identifying FeaturesBlack face and bib, Rufous crown, Olive-green back, White belly, Bicolored bill
Description
A striking towhee with a black head and bib, a prominent rufous crown, and olive-green upperparts. Its underparts are white, contrasting sharply with the black bib. This species typically forages on the ground in dense undergrowth, scratching leaf litter for insects and seeds.
