towhee

noun to·whee \ ˈtō-ˌhē , ˈtō-(ˌ)ē , tō-ˈhē \

|Updated on: 22 May 2018

Definition of towhee

1 : a long-tailed passerine bird (Pipilo erythrophthalmus of the family Emberizidae) of eastern North America with the male having reddish sides, white underparts, and black upperparts, head, and neck — called also chewink

2 : any various similar related birds (genera Pipilo and Melozone) found mainly in western North America

Note: Towhees live primarily on the ground, often in bushes and thickets, where they feed on insects and seeds.

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Recent Examples of towhee from the Web

Summer species include Northern bobwhite, black-chinned hummingbird and spotted towhee.

— Houston Chronicle, "Top birding spots around Texas," 10 May 2018
The short, river-hugging trail leads you beneath tall oaks; birds to be seen include towhee and mockingbird.

— peter fish, San Francisco Chronicle, "The 5 best hikes in Napa for wine lovers," 21 Feb. 2018
Northern mockingbirds have started singing in earnest, along with Eastern towhees.

— taylor piephoff, charlotteobserver, "Watch for the annual visit by red-winged blackbirds | Charlotte Observer," 16 Feb. 2018
And finally, long after my wife believed he was lost forever, appeared the towhee, and his little mate.

— Southern Living, "Love Song," 15 Mar. 2012
And finally, long after my wife believed he was lost forever, appeared the towhee, and his little mate.

— Southern Living, "Love Song," 15 Mar. 2012
And finally, long after my wife believed he was lost forever, appeared the towhee, and his little mate.

— Southern Living, "Love Song," 15 Mar. 2012
DuBay and Fuldner studied five species: horned larks, red-headed woodpeckers, field sparrows, grasshopper sparrows and Eastern towhees.

— ben guarino, Washington Post, "Soot caught in bird feathers shows how catastrophic air pollution can be," 9 Oct. 2017
Insect-eaters, including California towhees and Bewick’s wrens scratch around in piles of leaves to forage for food.

— jennifer j. meyer, Orange County Register, "Create a haven for songbirds," 24 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'towhee.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.