Green-tailed towhee

Green-tailed towhee
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passerellidae
Genus: Pipilo
Species:
P. chlorurus
Binomial name
Pipilo chlorurus
(Audubon, 1839)
Synonyms
  • Fringilla chlorura Audubon 1839
  • Chlorura chlorura: Sclater 1862
  • Oreospiza chlorura: Ridgway 1896 (preoccupied)
  • Oberholseria chlorura: Richmond 1915

The green-tailed towhee (Pipilo chlorurus) is the smallest towhee, but is still one of the larger members of the American sparrow family Passerellidae.

Its breeding range covers most of the interior Western United States, with a winter range in Mexico and the southern edge of the Southwestern United States.

This bird can be recognized by the bright green stripes on the edge of its wings. It has a distinct white throat and a rufous cap. It measures 7.25 in (18.4 cm) long and weighs 29 g (1.0 oz).[2]

It is fairly tame, but often stays hidden under a bush. It is fairly common in habitats with sagebrush and other such bushes. It is uncommonly seen because of its tendency to stay under cover.

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Pipilo chlorurus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22721304A94707327. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22721304A94707327.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Sibley was invoked but never defined (see the help page).