Low Light Young Green-tailed Towhee

Young Green-tailed Towhee in low light – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/250, ISO 1600, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Three mornings ago before the sun rose high enough to light up a willow thicket a young Green-tailed Towhee perched on a branch directly in front of me. Because the light was low I cranked up my ISO and photographed the immature towhee. I’m not about to pass up an opportunity to photograph this species just because the light wasn’t the best.

Young Green-tailed Towhees can be as secretive and skulky as the adults are after breeding season is over. To put it lightly, I was thrilled when this one landed on the branch.

When this Green-tailed Towhee grows up it will have the characteristic rusty colored feathers on its head. It will also have a brighter greenish tail, more green on its wings and its throat will be much whiter. Right now though it blends into its habitat more easily than the adults do.

I find Green-tailed Towhee adult most often by ear at the start of the breeding season. Their calls and songs give me auditory clues as to where they are located and then I can use my eyes to pinpoint where they are. This time of the year the males are quieter than they were just a few weeks ago because their breeding season is coming to an end.

In Utah I find this species in high elevations in the Uinta and Wasatch Mountains in sagebrush covered areas. I also see them in the sky island mountains of the West Desert. In deserts I look for them in grasslands and dry washes and I also find them near freshwater seeps in deserts as well.

Green-tailed Towhees are migratory unlike the Spotted Towhees in northern Utah which are year round residents. I always get excited to see my first of year Green-tailed Towhees but feel sad when I find and photograph the last one I see each year. It will be a while before that happens though.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to view more of my Green-tailed Towhee photos plus facts and information about this species.