The Spotted Towhee is a large, striking sparrow commonly found in Arizona throughout the year. Recognizable by its bold plumage, it has a black head, throat, and upperparts (gray-brown in females), contrasting white underparts, rich rufous flanks, and distinctive white spots on the wings and back. This species is widespread across the state, inhabiting shrubby habitats, woodland edges, desert washes, and chaparral, particularly in foothills and mid-elevation areas. Spotted Towhees forage mainly on the ground, scratching noisily in leaf litter for seeds, insects, and berries. Their sharp “chewink” call and rich, whistled songs are often heard even when the birds are hidden in dense cover. In Arizona, the Spotted Towhee is a year-round resident, breeding in spring and summer in thick vegetation and remaining common in winter in brushy and suburban areas.
