Bird Description

Common in secondary growth woodland and brushy scrub. Often on the ground in leaf litter, can be heard scratching around, and will jump forward with both feet and send leaves and dirt flying backward. Prefers to stay hidden and is more often heard than seen, calling 'tow-hee.'. Sings a higher 'drink-your-tee,' the last part a higher-pitched trill. ID: Large, bigger than sparrows and other birds with similar behaviors. Chunky and thick-necked with a long rounded tail. All plumages have same color pattern with dark upperparts and throat, rufous flanks, and white belly. White corners to tail and bases to primaries are easiest to see in flight. Extensive white on undertail. Ad ?: upperparts and throat black. Eye color red in the N. S. birds frequently have white eyes and less white in wing and tail. Ad ?: black replaced by brown. 1st-yr: almost as adult.