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Breeding Range. (Fig. 167). Fairly common in the Pembina Hills and in the wooded deltaic sand area of western Pembina County; uncommon in the Turtle Mountains and in the wooded hills in the vicinity of Devils Lake (within Benson County); rare (formerly more common) along wooded stream valleys in Pembina and Walsh Counties.

A study of breeding specimens collected in the Pembina Hills and Turtle Mountains by Sibley and West (1959) indicated a slight degree of hybridization with the western form, Pipilo erythrophthalmus arcticus.

Breeding Habitat. Semiopen, upland deciduous forest with a fairly dense understory of small trees and tall shrubs. Characteristic dominant tree species in these habitats include bur oak, green ash, quaking aspen, and basswood. The more common understory shrubs include beaked hazelnut, smooth sumac, choke cherry, and Saskatoon serviceberry.

Nesting. A nest with eggs was collected at Pembina on June 11, 1873 (Coues 1878). On August 3, 1966, two fledglings were observed in the Pembina Hills in Cavalier County (P. F. Springer).

Figure 167. Breeding Range of Eastern Rufous-sided Towhee.