The male Eastern Towhee is a striking and charismatic bird with distinctive plumage and behaviors. Its black head, upper body, and tail contrast sharply with its white belly and rufous sides, creating a bold appearance that stands out in its woodland habitats[4]. These large sparrows, measuring 17.3 to 23 cm in length with a wingspan of 20-30 cm, are slightly larger than their female counterparts[4].
During breeding season, male Eastern Towhees are particularly active and vocal. They establish and fiercely defend territories, often larger than necessary for food provision alone[5]. Their characteristic "drink-your-tea" song, along with shorter "chewink" calls, can frequently be heard as they perch on high vantage points[1][5]. This vocalization serves not only to mark their territory but also to attract potential mates.
Once paired, male Eastern Towhees play a crucial role in nesting and chick-rearing. While females build the nests, males contribute by bringing nesting materials and later by guarding the nest and providing food for both the female and nestlings[3]. Their parental care extends beyond the nestling stage, as they continue to feed and protect fledglings for 3 to 4 weeks after they leave the nest[3].
Interestingly, male Eastern Towhees exhibit strong site fidelity, often returning to the same breeding territories year after year[4]. This behavior, combined with their relatively long lifespan - up to 12 years in the wild - makes them an important and consistent presence in their ecosystems[3][4].
雄性東部蟆鷹是一種引人注目且富有魅力的鳥類，擁有獨特的羽毛和行為。牠的黑色頭部、上身和尾巴與白色腹部和赤褐色側面形成鮮明對比，在其森林棲息地中顯得格外醒目。這種大型麻雀的體長為17.3至23厘米，翼展為20-30厘米，比雌性稍大。
在繁殖季節，雄性東部蟆鷹特別活躍和多聲。牠們建立並積極捍衛領地，通常比僅為覓食所需的範圍更大。牠們特有的「drink-your-tea」（喝你的茶）鳴叫聲，以及較短的「chewink」叫聲，常常可以聽到牠們棲息在高處時發出。這種發聲不僅用於標記領地，也用於吸引潛在的配偶。
一旦配對，雄性東部蟆鷹在築巢和育雛中扮演著關鍵角色。雖然築巢主要由雌鳥完成，但雄鳥會協助帶來築巢材料，之後還會守護巢穴，並為雌鳥和雛鳥提供食物。牠們的親職照顧延續到雛鳥離巢後，在雛鳥離巢後的3到4週內仍繼續餵食和保護。
有趣的是，雄性東部蟆鷹表現出強烈的場地忠誠度，常年復一年地回到相同的繁殖領地。這種行為，加上牠們相對較長的壽命 - 在野外可達12年 - 使牠們成為其生態系統中重要且持續存在的一員。
Citations:
[1] https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Birds/Eastern-Towhee
[2] https://www.outdooralabama.com/emberizids-tanagers-cardinals-and-allies/eastern-towhee
[3] https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pipilo_erythrophthalmus/
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_towhee
[5] https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Towhee/overview
[6] https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/eastern-towhee
[7] https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Towhee/id
[8] https://www.birdwatchersgeneralstore.com/all-about-the-eastern-towhee/
