Pipilo maculatus

BREEDING: Uses a wide variety of shrubby habitats characterized by deep litter and humus on ground, and sheltering vegetation overhead (Greenlaw 1996). Undergrowth of open woodland, forest edge, second growth, brushy areas, chaparral, riparian thickets, woodland (AOU 1998).

In northern Great Plains, found in shrubby riparian thickets along streams, rivers and coulees, also in woodland undergrowth. In interior mountains and plateaus, uses riparian thickets, open south-facing slopes of ridges, and canyon bottoms. In southern Rocky Mountains, common in pine-oak and pinyon-juniper forests, uncommon in mixed coniferous forests, and rare in ponderosa pine and aspen forests (Hejl et al. 1995). In Colorado pinyon-juniper woodlands, associated with moderately open areas on steep slopes with high shrub cover (Sedgwick 1987). In Pacific Northwest sometimes occurs in shrubby forest successional stages. In California Coast Range, found in chaparral and rose-blackberry thickets (ROSA-RUBRUS; Greenlaw 1996). In Mexico, uses typical brushy woodland and scrub, understory of pine forests and pine-oak woodlands, chaparral, semi-open areas with scattered bushes and brush (Howell and Webb 1995).

Associated with an extensive list of shrubby and thicket-forming plants, including: scrub oaks (QUERCUS spp.), Pinyon Pine (PINUS EDULIS), juniper (JUNIPERUS), yucca (YUCCA spp.), baccharis (BACCHARIS spp.), willow (SALIX spp.), senecio (SENECIO spp.), madrone (ARBUTUS spp.), rose (ROSA spp.), blackberry (RUBUS spp.), saltbush (ATRIPLEX spp.), mountain mahogany (CERCOCARPUS sp.), toyon (HETEROMELES ARBUTIFOLIA), elder (SAMBUCUS spp.), buckthorn (RHAMNUS spp.), sagebrush (ARTEMISIA spp.), snowberry (SYMPHORICARPOS spp.), chamise (ADENOSTOMA spp.), manzanita (ARCTOSTAPHYLOS spp.), sumac (RHUS spp.), Pacific poison-oak (RHUS DIVERSILOBA), ceanothus (CEANOTHUS spp.), and grape (VITIS sp.; Greenlaw 1996). In Mexico, also found in bushy composites (Greenlaw 1996).

Constructs a well-built cup nest in litter on ground, under bush or brush pile, clump of grass, or elevated in vines, trees, bushes, usually between 0.6 and 3.6 m from the ground. Often in relatively exposed conditions, though concealed by nearby plants (Greenlaw 1996; Baicich and Harrison 1997). Elevation of nests may be influenced by rainfall or predation (Greenlaw 1996).

NONBREEDING: Uses similar shrubby habitats and thickets in wintering areas. Nonbreeding birds may occur in areas where towhees do not breed (Greenlaw 1996). In Arizona, winters in Upper Sonoran foothills, in brushy canyons and river valleys of southeastern Arizona, and uncommonly in riparian woodland, willows and marshes along the lower Colorado River (Phillips et al. 1964, Rosenberg et al. 1991).

In nonbreeding season, forms loose flocks and can be somewhat gregarious. Family groups remain together throughout summer (Ehrlich et al. 1988). See Greenlaw (1996) for density estimates and patterns.

Clutch size usually 3-5 (range 2-6). Will renest if first broods suffer mortality, and second broods are uncommon. Incubation, entirely by female, lasts 12-14 days. Only female broods but both parents feed young and remove fecal sacs. Young leave nest unable to fly at 9-11 days; parents continue to feed dependent young out of nest for another 30 days (Ehrlich et al. 1988, Greenlaw 1996, Baicich and Harrison 1997). A host to brood parasites (see Threats above).