Identify bird species
Your video shows a beautiful little bird visiting your Birdfy feeder. I’m fairly confident it’s an Eastern Towhee, probably a male.
What makes this bird interesting?
The Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) is a large member of the sparrow family.
- Black head, back, and upper chest: Characteristic of the male.
- Rusty reddish-brown sides: One of its most distinctive markings.
- White belly: Contrasts sharply with the darker feathers.
- Size: Approximately 7–9 inches long, noticeably larger than many feeder birds.
- Diet: Seeds, insects, berries, and occasionally small fruits.
Why is it visiting your feeder?
Towhees ordinarily spend much of their time on the ground, scratching through leaves for food. They often use a distinctive two-footed backward hop to uncover seeds and insects.
Seeing one perched directly on your feeder is especially nice because they generally prefer feeding on or near the ground.
A few other fascinating details
Male Eastern Towhees are known for a song often described as “drink your teeeeea!”
They live year-round in western North Carolina, so this bird could become a regular visitor.
One detail I’d love to know: Is this the first time you’ve seen this particular bird at your Birdfy feeder? It looks quite different from the goldfinches, cardinals, and titmice you’ve been watching.
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