Spotted Towhee
Pipilo maculatus
East Fork Sycamore Creek, Mazatzal Mountains, Maricopa Co., Arizona. 21 July 2017.
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Formerly considered the same species as the now separate Eastern Towhee, these birds were known as Rufous-sided Towhee. Their usual habitat is dense shrubbery as occurs in chaparral or drier sites along mountain canyons, in juniper woodland or even higher elevation among ponderosa pines. The feed often on the ground by scattering leaves and debris with feet and bills. In that fashion they find insects and seeds. A loud cat-like call may reveal the presence of these often secretive birds.