As you may or may not have noticed, yesterday was April Fools’ Day and there was regrettably not an official declaration of National California Towhee Week.
Though the powers-that-be have ignored our numerous letters, phone calls, faxes, smoke signals, carrier pigeon notes, telegrams, and petition (signed by two) to declare such an esteemed recognition of this “plain brown bird” – we’ve nevertheless decided to forge ahead with our own celebration. So please join us for Day 2 of our very own National California Towhee Week!
The California Towhee is truly a beautiful bird. Granted, this beauty is subtle when compared to more vibrantly colored birds – but the elegance and appeal are apparent when we look closely.
First, look at those dazzling eyes! In the right lighting, the warm amber color really shines.
The warm tones don’t stop at the eyes. Though overall, the California Towhee is undoubtedly a plain brown bird, a couple areas are infused with lovely warm shades of orange. The face and throat often have these delicate hues popping through.
On this charmer below, the orange tones create an almost striped pattern on the throat and face, against the darker brown.
The orange tones really pop under the base of the tail – often obvious from a side profile.
You can even see a subtle orange eye-ring on the bird below. It also happens to have an interesting, aberrant pigmentation in its left wing.
For us, noticing these faint washes of color gives every California Towhee observation a special sweetness. Tune in tomorrow for Day 3 of I’m Birding Right Now’s National California Towhee Week!
If you’re interested in more about California Towhees, check out the rest of the series!
Day 1: It’s National California Towhee Week: Let’s Celebrate!
Day 3: California Towhee: What Are You Saying?
Day 4: California Towhee: Mates for Life
Day 5: California Towhee: Two Broods Are Better Than One!
Day 6: California Towhee: The “Birb” Factor
Day 7: California Towhee: Friend of the Fox
I guess we’re all too serious now to realize that you were fooling! I agree that the CALT is a beautiful bird if you take the time to look at it and it should have a week. Fortunately, I have plenty of opportunity to enjoy them in my yard.
Thanks so much for birding in place! I wish that everyone would follow your example!
Thank you. The Cal Towhee is always here with us at home to remind us of each sunrise approaching and sunset taking place. It encourages mindfulness and a celebratory way of living each day from beginning to end.
We love that sentiment, thanks Mari!
Thanks, Denise! Well, it wasn’t the most wild April Fools’ Day joke in history, that’s for sure, haha =)
You totally got me with this! I am so excited about CALT week! It was one of my aha birding moments when I got binoculars and saw how lovely these birds are.
Same with us! The perfect bird to encourage us to look more closely at all the birds!
you got me. go CA Towhee week!
I think that we “got” so many folks just means it was a pretty feeble attempt, heh! Or, on the other hand, it could mean that Cal Towhees are so cool that it was a no-brainer that they’d have a national celebratory week…yeah, that’s it!!!
HA
Pranked. You got me too!
=) Hope we get to see you soon when we’re all able to do the PWA surveys again….sigh!
ditto for me. nice one! daily birding blog = a daily smile 😎 keep them coming. surprised carrier pigeon didn’t work.
Thanks, Dad. Yeah, we thought the Carrier Pigeon would be the clincher!!
I just understood, after a seach on eBird, that this Celebration is for California Towhee (only). So, even if I live at 4900 Km drive from Downtown Guerneville, I’m celebrating with you the National California Towhee Week – Cheers !!!
We appreciate you celebrating in spirit, André!
You two are the greatest! Although I always enjoy your blog, your CA Towhee postings are particularly appreciated. Plus the week isn’t even over yet! Thank you so much for adding some beauty and light-hearted joy to our lives.
Aww, Jane, thank you so much for the super sweet comment, it means a lot to us!
I just found you last week. ‘Cou
rse I believed it was Ca Towhee week. Why not: )
Everything is quiet lately. Is it due to moulting? We’ve also had 9 straight days of excessive heat in So Ca.
Hi Linda, sorry for the late response. Thanks so much for reading! 🙂
Yep, come late summer, after breeding season, the birds get extra secretive and quiet during molt because they’re particularly vulnerable to predators when they don’t have all their feathers. You’re also right that the heat might’ve been a cause of less bird activity as well.
Sooooo…will there be a CA Towhee week this year? 😀
If not, there should be. They’re my favorite at the feeder!
Linda