Eastern Towhee female

(Pipilo erythrophthalmus)

photo by Marlene Cashen

This extremely active and inquisitive bird often gives the impression of a larger animal as it noisily scratches through dry leaves in search of a meal. It moves both feet together when it scratches.

Eastern Towhee male

(Pipilo erythrophthalmus)

photo by John Borom

Eastern Towhee is common all year on the Alabama coast. In the spring, the male will mount the top of a tree and sing loudly.The phrase" drink your teeeeeeeee ," is an excellent representation of the song.

Song Sparrow

(Melospiza melodia)

photo by Marlene Cashen

Song Sparrows are common in the winter, uncommon in the spring, absent in the summer, and uncommon in the fall on the Alabama coast. A good clue to its identity is a jerky flight movement caused by the pumping of the rather long tail.

White-throated Sparrow

(Zonotrichia albicollis)

photo by John Borom

This species is common on the Alabama coast in the winter and spring and fairly common in the fall. The summer range is in Canada , northern Ohio , southeastern NewYork, and central New England .

Swamp Sparrow

(Zonotrichia albicollis)

photo by Marlene Cashen

Swamp Sparrow is common in the winter and spring and uncommon in the fall on the Alabama coast. This species prefers marshes, bogs, and riparian stands of reeds, cattails and sedges.