About Melozone aberti (S.F.Baird, 1852)
Abert's towhee, scientifically named Melozone aberti, is a bird species belonging to the family Passerellidae. It is native to a restricted range in southwestern North America, primarily occupying the lower Colorado River and Gila River watersheds. It is nearly endemic to Arizona, and can also be found in small portions of California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and the Mexican state of Sonora. This species is named to honor American ornithologist James William Abert, who lived from 1820 to 1897.
Abert's towhee is commonly found in brushy riparian habitats within the Lower Sonoran desert zone, and it prefers to stay well-concealed under bushes. It faces threats from cowbird nest parasitism and habitat loss, but has successfully colonized suburban areas in the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area, and can be spotted fairly easily on the campus of Arizona State University. Even though it has a limited geographic range, the IUCN Red List classifies Abert's towhee as a species of Least Concern. The species has also undergone some range expansion along the Santa Cruz River and in Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona.
