Challenger

Eastern Towhee - male
Pipilo erythrophthalmus

I usually hear towhees more than I see them - and when I do see them, they are usually obscured in the underbrush. But I had the fortune of getting this fella to come out in the open, although I will admit I cheated a little bit.

Hearing the typical towhee call (tuh-WEE), I decided to whistle it back to them. They returned my whistle and I repeated. Suddenly the female shot up to one branch, and the male came up to another - and actually challenged me. He started a call I've never heard out of a towhee, puffed up and started 'shivering' at me. I felt bad about fighting for his girlfriends affections, so I backed off - but not before I got a lensful of the hairy - or is that feathery - eyeball.

Happy Feathery Friday!

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Comments

Geyser Gary says:

Definitely best viewed large.
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

ImageInnovation Photography says:

What gorgeous colors and fine sharp details. He certainly is giving you the evil eye -- shame on your for going after his girl. I guess I should learn bird calls if I ever want to get a decent shot of a Mockingcardinal. :-)
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

lucycat says:

Hahah! Great story and a beautiful shot!
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

Marrrcelll says:

Fabulous shot. I really like it.
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

kwilliams says:

Great strategy! It was worth it
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

IngallsIdyllGirl says:

Wonderful photo! Yesterday I was singing while I was cutting oregano in the garden - three feet away from the feeder - and looked around to see that a goldfinch had come to join me.
And back in the day when I was a temporary field biologist, I used to sing while I was working and the birdies would sing back to me - and I wasn't even 'singing their song' as it were.
Your tactic is exactly what the people counting spoted owls for the forest service used. (That's why the term for that work was 'owl calling'...)

Great photo! I like the raised head feathers!!
It looks as if you were close enough that the flash had an effect on him.
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

Red~Star [on break] says:

Wow....I would have never guessed a bird would respond to your whistles that way? GREAT shot of this beautiful towhee. He sure is giving you the evil eye. I hear them before I spot them...and have no pics because they're too difficult to get out in the open...usually hidden in the dense brush. I'll have to try your "trick". Excellent.
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

ROCKADEE_One With Eagles says:

A Beauty!
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

Greg7 says:

Hmm...I know I commented awhile ago, but must have forgotten to post it. Anyway great shot Marty, and that's a handy talent to have!!
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

Ollie_girl says:

fluffy!
Happy SPRING SUN is Bird Fun Feathery Friday!
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

imtoootall says:

Excellent image and photography!!! WoW!!!

I think this bird image is really excellent. You are invited to post it to Excellence In Avian Photography. Please read the rules before posting your image.
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

I-P-S says:

wonderful shot of this beauty, love these but rarely get them out in the open
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

PixelHawk says:

Great story and wonderful photo.
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

ZGrmy says:

great story ! and very stunning photo !!

"Happy Feathery Friday."
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

makeupanid (dealing with computer issues) says:

Wow this is amazing! I call the birds and they answer quite often but I don't think they have found me threatening yet!

Happy Feathery Friday.
--
Seen in Feathery Friday! (Please tag featheryfriday & comment on 1) (?)
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

nature55 says:

Such a beautiful capture!!
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

martytdx says:

Thanks, everyone. It was nice to finally get a good shot of a towhee, too. Who knew that I can't sing a lick, but I can whistle a good tune?
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

winnu says:

Stunning capture!
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

AnnuskA - AnnA Theodora says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Animal Kingdom (invite only): Enlightenment Through Photography, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

this is so cool! :D
great colors and composition!
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

Mon@rch says:

Stunning and I hear mre than I see also!
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

phil w. says:

Great story, and a really pretty shot.

Phil

--
Seen on your photo stream. (?)
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

Matthew Singer says:

Fantastic Towhee shot.

--
Seen in Wild New Jersey (?)
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

corvid01 says:

Awesome capture, lovely shot! I know what you mean about hearing them and not seeing them ;)
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

hamapenguin says:

What a beautiful bird!
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

William Dalton says:

Marty, This is really outstanding. Bravo my friend!!!! By the way a few were at Sandy Hook on Friday....pssshing....also brings them out of the undercover.
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

hearman says:

Another beauty, a wonderful photo.
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

NetteBini says:

Wow! I yearn for the perfect towhee photo. They are so jumpy. You absolutely nailed this. He's gorgeous! And, it was nice of you to let him win the fight in front of his girl.
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

Doug Lloyd says:

Spectacular and I love the narrative to
D
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

brianhbradley says:

Awesome shot!!!!

Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

Skipbro says:

Nice capture. These birds certainly are elusive. Well done.
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

zen granny says:

Excellent shot. I love the story of how you did this.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

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Additional Information

Taken with a Nikon D200.
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Taken on April 26, 2008

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