Subject: [Tweeters] Spotted Towhee with Partial Rufous Cap
Date: Dec 28 16:35:40 2012
From: Alan Richards - slugranch85 at wwest.net


Hello All,

We have been seeing, from time to time, a Spotted Towhee with unusual
plumage, at our feeders starting Dec 13, 2012. This bird, in comparison
with others of the same species, seems similar in size, shape, and plumage
except that it has a large rectangular area of rufous coloring on its
otherwise black cap. The rufous patch takes up about half of the area of
the cap which would otherwise be completely black.

Has anyone else seen or heard of such a plumage? Though we have viewed
towhees in our yard during most months of our twenty-seven years of living
here, we have never seen one until now with plumage like this, nor have we
seen one anywhere else. We have taken several photos which we could send
via e-mail to anyone interested.

Thanks for any information,

Alan Richards / Ann Musche' / Naselle WA 98638