The green-tailed towhee (Pipilo chlorurus) is a large sparrow found in the western United States and Mexico. This striking bird has colorful plumage and a long tail, earning it the nicknames “calico bird” and “rainbow bird.” But just how wide are the wings on this songbird? Let’s take a closer look at the wingspan of the green-tailed towhee.
Quick Answer
The average wingspan of an adult green-tailed towhee is approximately 8.3 inches (21 centimeters).
Average Wingspan of the Green-Tailed Towhee
After analyzing measurements from hundreds of green-tailed towhee specimens, ornithologists have determined that these birds typically have a wingspan around 8.3 inches (21 cm). This wingspan measurement is for the distance from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other wing. There can be some natural variation among individual towhees, but most adults fall right around this average wingspan length.
Range of Wingspans
While 8.3 inches is the norm, green-tailed towhees may have wingspans ranging from about 7.5 inches to 9 inches (19 to 23 cm):
- Minimum span: Approximately 7.5 inches (19 cm)
- Maximum span: Approximately 9 inches (23 cm)
Younger birds and females tend to be on the lower end of the range, while older, larger males are often on the upper end. However, there is substantial overlap between the sexes and age groups when it comes to wingspan.
How Wingspan Compares to Body Length
In addition to having a wingspan of around 8 inches, green-tailed towhees have a total body length of approximately 8 to 9.5 inches (20 to 24 cm). So their wingspan is nearly equal to their overall body length. The towhee’s long tail, measuring 3 to 4 inches (9 to 10 cm), accounts for a significant portion of their total length.
How the Wingspan Helps the Towhee
The green-tailed towhee’s moderate wingspan allows it to fly efficiently through dense shrublands. These birds do not migrate long distances and are not aerial masters. But their wing shape and span enable some key behaviors:
- Making short, bursting flights through scrubby vegetation
- Reaching elevated song perches like bushes, fences, and low branches
- Evading predators with quick takeoffs and darting maneuvers
- Travelling moderate distances of 100 miles or more during seasonal movements
The towhee’s wingspan is wide enough to generate lift and propulsion, but not so long as to hinder movement through tangled brush. The wings have a rounded shape well-suited for frequent, undulating flight patterns used by these birds as they forage and patrol territories.
How the Towhee’s Wingspan Compares to Other Birds
The green-tailed towhee has a moderate wingspan when compared to other bird species. Here’s how the towhee’s 8-inch wingspan stacks up against some other birds:
Smaller Wingspans
- Ruby-throated hummingbird: 3.5 inches
- Red crossbill: 5.5 inches
- House wren: 6 inches
Similar Wingspans
- Northern cardinal: 8.5 inches
- Blue jay: 8.5 inches
- Mourning dove: 9 inches
Larger Wingspans
- Bald eagle: 6 to 7 feet
- California condor: 9.5 feet
- Trumpeter swan: 6 feet
- Great blue heron: 6 feet
The green-tailed towhee ends up on the smaller side of the spectrum when looking at wingspans across the avian world. But the towhee’s wingspan is perfectly sized to match its lifestyle and habits.
Wingspan Relative to Weight
Another way to consider the green-tailed towhee’s wingspan is in relation to the bird’s weight. Heavier birds need more wing area to generate enough lift and thrust for flight. Lighter birds can fly efficiently with smaller wingspans.
On average, green-tailed towhees weigh about 1.1 ounces (32 grams). With their 8-inch wingspans, the towhees have a wingspan-to-weight ratio of about 7:1. In other words, their wings are 7 times as wide as the birds are heavy.
This ratio is typical for small songbirds like sparrows and finches. It gives them enough wing power for short flights through dense vegetation without overburdening them with excess wing weight.
Differences Between Males and Females
When looking at various measurements of green-tailed towhees, including wingspan, there are some subtle differences between males and females:
- Males average slightly larger in overall body size
- Male wingspans tend to be near the upper end of the range
- Females are typically smaller with shorter spans near the lower end
However, there is considerable overlap between the sexes. Body size and wingspan show a high degree of individual variation in both male and female towhees.
There are no consistent wing shape differences between sexes. Both males and females have rounded, moderately broad wings specialized for bursts of flight through dense undergrowth.
Changes During Development
Like all birds, green-tailed towhees undergo changes in wingspan and wing shape as they develop from chicks to adults:
- Chicks – Newly hatched towhees have tiny, stubby wings and cannot fly at all.
- Fledglings – Around 10 days after hatching, chicks develop enough wing feathers to make their first flights. Wingspans are about 3 to 5 inches.
- Juveniles – By 4 weeks old, young towhees can make sustained flights but still have slightly shorter wingspans than adults.
- Adults – Full adult wingspans around 8 inches are reached within a couple months after fledging.
As the birds go through this wing growth, their flight abilities improve. Only at adulthood do towhees gain the mature wing structure that allows them to fly most efficiently.
Unusual Wingspans
While most green-tailed towhees have typical wingspans, abnormalities can occasionally occur:
- Injuries – Damage or loss of wing feathers can reduce wingspan.
- Genetic mutations – Rare genetic differences may lead to anomalous wings.
- Developmental problems – Issues during growth can affect adult wingspan.
In the wild, towhees with abnormal wingspans often have trouble evading predators, foraging efficiently, and finding mates. But in captivity, birds with unusual wingspans can sometimes survive just fine with extra care.
Measuring Wingspan in the Field
Ornithologists measure towhee wingspans using a few main techniques:
- Carefully extending a bird’s relaxed wing and measuring tip-to-tip with a ruler. This requires safely capturing and handling birds.
- Photographing birds in flight and calculating span based on scaling with known distances. This avoids handling birds but can be tricky to photograph mid-flight.
- Collecting wing specimens and precisely measuring their length and area under controlled lab conditions.
Researchers aim to get large sample sizes across ages, sexes, and geographies. Data on variables like migration distance and habitat can elucidate how wingspan correlates with ecology and behavior.
Wingspan and Conservation
Tracking features like wingspan helps scientists monitor the health of towhee populations. Changes in wing shape or span over time may signal habitat threats or inbreeding issues. If populations show reduced wingspans, it can motivate conservation actions such as:
- Protecting brushy foraging areas from destruction
- Controlling predators of eggs and chicks
- Managing any diseases or parasites impairing development
Strong, normal wingspans indicate young towhees are getting adequate nutrition and completing growth milestones. Keeping towhee habitat intact ensures proper wings for survival.
Conclusion
With a wingspan averaging around 8 inches, the green-tailed towhee has wings specialized for bursting through dense undergrowth. This moderate wingspan allows efficient maneuvers in scrubby habitats. By studying towhee wingspans and flight patterns, scientists gain key insights into ecology, evolution, and optimal conservation strategies for these widespread songbirds.
