Birds diurnal

Abert's Towhee

Melozone aberti

Meet the masked specialist of the desert Southwest. With its distinctive 'double-scratch' dance and cinnamon-hued feathers, the Abert's Towhee is a charming, ground-dwelling companion for every desert backyard.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 8.3–9.8 in (21–25 cm); Wingspan: 10.5–11.5 in (27–29 cm); Weight: 1.3–1.9 oz (37–54 g)

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Colors

Earthy grayish-brown to cinnamon overall; distinct black mask surrounding the base of the bill; pale cinnamon-buff under-tail coverts.

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Key Features

Distinct black face mask around the bill
Long, rounded tail often held slightly cocked
Thick, pale-colored seed-eating bill
Chunky, large-sparrow silhouette

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Primarily insects and seeds; they use their feet to scratch through soil and debris for beetles, grasshoppers, and fallen weed seeds.

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Habitat Low-elevation desert riparian zones, mesquite bosques, and well-vegetated suburban gardens in the Southwest.

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Behavior

The Abert's Towhee is a master of the undergrowth, often spending its entire day within a few feet of the ground. They are famous for their "double-scratch" foraging technique, where they hop forward and then kick backward with both feet simultaneously to reveal hidden insects or seeds beneath the leaf litter. While they can be somewhat secretive in wild riparian areas, they have adapted remarkably well to suburban backyards in the desert Southwest, where they become quite bold around reliable water sources.

These birds are highly territorial and usually seen in pairs, as they tend to mate for life. Their social interactions often involve a "squeal duet," where the pair comes together to give a series of rapid, high-pitched notes while fluttering their wings. Unlike many other backyard birds, they rarely visit elevated feeders, preferring to scavenge what falls to the ground or wait for humans to provide ground-scattered treats.

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Camera Tips

To capture the best footage of Abert's Towhees, position your AI camera no higher than 12 to 18 inches off the ground. These birds are almost exclusively ground-dwellers and rarely fly more than a few feet high unless fleeing a predator. Aim the camera toward a patch of open soil or light leaf litter near a dense shrub, hedge, or woodpile. They are shy by nature and prefer to stay within a quick hop of "escape cover" while they forage, so avoid placing your camera in the middle of a wide-open lawn.

Because they are specialists of the arid Southwest, water is your absolute best lure. A ground-level birdbath, a shallow saucer of water, or a simple dripping water feature will attract them more consistently than any food source. If you are using bait to get a close-up, scatter a mix of white proso millet and cracked corn directly on the dirt. Avoid using hanging feeders for this species; they are physiologically uncomfortable feeding at height and your camera will likely only catch them as blurry shapes on the periphery of the frame.

For the best results, set your camera to a high frame rate or "Burst Mode." The towhee's signature double-scratch move happens in the blink of an eye, and a standard slow-trigger video might miss the peak action. Since they are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, ensure your camera has good low-light performance or set the exposure compensation slightly higher if the camera is tucked under a shady mesquite tree. During the scorching desert summer, focus your recording efforts between 5:30 AM and 8:00 AM, as they will retreat deep into the shade once the sun is high.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Abert's Towhee.

Canyon Towhee

Lacks the black face mask and has a more distinct rufous (reddish) crown on the head.

California Towhee

Found primarily in coastal regions; lacks the black mask and has darker, sootier brown plumage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Abert's Towhees are most active during the cooler morning hours (sunrise to 10 AM) and the late afternoon. In the heat of the summer, they are strictly early-morning foragers.

The most effective way to attract them is to provide a ground-level water source and maintain dense native shrubs for cover. Scattering birdseed directly on the ground under bushes also works well.

They eat a mix of seeds and insects. In a backyard setting, they are particularly fond of white millet, cracked corn, and the various beetles or grubs found under damp leaf litter.

Yes, they are very common in suburban neighborhoods within their narrow range, particularly in cities like Phoenix and Tucson where irrigation provides the lush cover they prefer.

Look at the face: Abert's Towhee has a distinct black 'mask' around the base of its bill, whereas the Canyon Towhee has a plain face and a more reddish cap on its head.

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