Image ID 108454 Premium Services    Rufous-sided Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) Hand-colored lithograph after John James Audubon From: J. J. Audubon, The Birds of America: from drawings made in the United States and their territories. Vol. 3 of 7 (New York, 1840–44) NYPL, George Arents Collection of Books in Parts

The Rufous-sided or Eastern Towhee, widely distributed in eastern North America, nests in New York City, where it is a warm-weather visitor. Slightly smaller than an American Robin, and an omnivore that feeds on seeds, insects, and fruits, it rustles leaves as it forages on the ground. Its song is described by many as drink-your-teeee.

Audubon (1785–1851) based his illustration of Rufous-sided Towhees on a painting made in 1822 in Natchez, Mississippi, depicting what he then called "Towhe Buntings," on the common blackberry. The first edition of Birds of America (1827–38), consisting of 435 enormous (39 x 26 inches) hand-colored etchings with engraving and aquatint, is the most famous illustrated book on a natural history subject ever published. Later, wanting his masterwork to be accessible to all, Audubon and his son John Woodhouse Audubon published this small-format lithographed edition, in 100 parts, each costing $1.00 and containing 5 plates, rom 1840 to 1844. In this edition Audubon called the bird "Towhe Ground Finch."

Check out the sighting log to record your interaction with some of the native New York City wildlife, such as the Rufous-sided Towhee, featured in Urban Neighbors. You may also browse the sighting log by animal, borough, park or natural area, and/or habitat to view a sighting you have submitted or to read others’ observations.