We have several pairs (I’m assuming, they always seem to hang out two at a time) of California towhees that stay in the yard year around.
They’ll fly in and out and fly up into the bushes and trees when I get too close, but without a direct threat they seem to prefer hopping and running. They remind me of tiny roadrunners.
Most of them also seem to be acclimated to me much more than the other birds in the yard (mockingbirds, mourning doves, juncos, house finches) and they’ll let me get within ten feet easily before running or flying away.
What’s hilarious is when I throw grapes out into the yard – they’ll flock down to grab some before the evil squirrels get them all. If left alone, they’ll peck at the grapes and eat them bit by bit on the ground where they are, but if they see me or the squirrel (or the new neighbors’ dog) they’ll stab the grape with that bill, pick it up (despite the fact that it might be as big as their head), and then run like hell for the bushes where their nests are. It’s extremely comical.
This view shows you what the bird apps refer to as its “rich cinammon tones on face and orange undertail coverts.” I think from the scale of the hose on the first picture you can see that they’re bigger than the finches and juncos, smaller than the mourning doves, about the size of a robin or mockingbird.
Grapes, anyone?
We Love The Stars Too Fondly 