California Towhee
Melazone crissalis
California Towhees are one of the most common birds seen in the western half of California. They are often seen on the ground, scratching for seeds. They sometimes appear to be a dull grayish-brown, but the one in the left photograph displays a more vibrant coloration. It was taken on May 3, 2016 in Orinda, CA by the Briones Reservoir (accessed through EBMUD's Bear Creek Staging Area, permit required). The photograph on the right was taken at my home in Berkeley, CA. It shows the Towhee with a seed in its mouth that its feet had just uncovered by scratching. (Click on images to see enlarged versions.)