Female Eastern Towhee and female Spotted Towhee

NOTE: The Sibley Field Guide book plates of these two birds are much too dark and don't show the color differences very well in either female. However, the Sibley Guide phone app of the two birds displays the colors adequately.

Both Eastern and Spotted Towhees are found in North-central Texas. Females of the species can be safely identified in the field even without seeing any spotting on the scapulars.

Female Eastern Towhees show a slightly rufous tone to the head and neck color. Spotted Towhees are more of a light charcoal color as shown here. The males of both species have a blackish head color and are not described here.

Female Spotted Towhee (R) and female Eastern Towhee (L)