Tim Ray wrote:

> Hello all,
>
> Does anyone have any suggestions for getting Rufous-sided Towhee confirmed
> for the atlas?  I have spent many hours in good towhee habitat (forest
> with dense understory), with "drink your tee-ee-ee-a" and "fweep" calls
> all around, but no success.  The males pop up into sight occasionally to
> sing, but the females always seem to be down low and well-hidden.
>
> Thanks,
> Tim Ray
> Columbia MD
> 
>
Tim -

One good way is to watch for the fledglings a little later on - they are
so distinct and different from their parents that they are readily
identifiable as such - brown, striped, sparrow-like birds w/prominent
wing bars, along with the white tail spots characteristic of the
species. More open country may afford better views than woodland. I hope
this helps.

- Fred Fallon
Bowie MD