Towhee Among Clover

This image features two commonly viewed species in northern California: a California towhee and white clovers. The California towhee is a native bird of California, while the white clover is an introduced species commonly planted in lawns. This image was not taken of a lawn but between two vineyard vines, demonstrating the spread beyond intentional use in landscaping. White clover’s benefits and harms are disputed; the flowers are seen as beneficial to local pollinators but are still non-native plants, and some argue the benefits are lesser than possible native species. California towhees are not often seen as very “good-looking” birds compared to other species in Sonoma County. Still, a dignified portrait of this bird proves their beauty in their own right.