General Description: California Towhees (Melozone crissalis) are large, sexually monomorphic sparrows. They are brown overall with a bit of reddish-brown on the head and face, and a rusty orange crissum (under-tail coverts). In adults, the throat is lighter and bordered on the chest by a broken ring of brown spots, but in young birds the chest is more brown.

Taxonomy: Passeriformes, Emberizidae. Formerly Pipilo crissalis.

Favored Habitat: Brushy canyon habitats.

Where to Find: Don't look for California Towhees around Las Vegas. Rather, look for them over in the California chaparral and middle elevation foothills throughout the state west of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.

Comments: California Towhees are notorious for becoming obsessed with chasing its reflection in windows and mirrors.