California Towhee Nest on Our Patio...

For years our covered patio has been a favorite place for our local California towhees (Pipilo crissalis) to raise their families.  These are one of the most common birds around our home, along with Lesser Goldfinches, House Finches, and the various hummingbirds.  The nest shown at right presently occupies a corner formed by a roof rafter and a joist, just under the roofing boards, in the northeast corner of our patio.  We've had about six or eight nests this year, and many of the towhees and finches are raising multiple broods.  It's a good year for the birds, with lots of food around because of our rains this year...