Within the group, there has been debate about whether the distinction between this species and the similar canyon towhee (Melozone fuscus) should be at the specific or subspecific level.

The term Melozone crissalis was developed by Nicholas Vigors in 1839, an Irish politician and zoologist who popularized the quinarian system around the world.

[3] The California towhee's coloring is dull brown overall with light rust undertail covert feathers and buff or rust-colored streaks at the throat.

[4] California towhees have the short, rounded wings of a sparrow, as well as a long tail and thick beak which is used for cracking seeds.

The California towhee's color pattern is matte brown all around, barring a rusty patch beneath its tail and around its bill.

[6] This bird's natural habitat is California's brush, chaparral, open woodlands, and along streams adjacent to desert slopes.

According to the National Audubon Society, the three biggest threats to the California towhee are fire weather, spring heat waves, and urbanization.

If these birds are found in a very densely forested area during a wildfire, they would definitely be under threat, but due to their reproductive patterns, their general population would remain largely unaffected.

This shows they are either reluctant to give up their given range or that they enjoy a greater quality of life within less densely populated human settlements.

The California towhee uses a "double-scratch" maneuver when foraging, looking beneath leaves by lunging forward and hopping backwards, using its feet to scratch the ground and reveal food.

[10] While the towhee is seen drinking freely in the wild and in captivity, in drier habitats their water needs may be met mostly via feeding on insects and succulent foods.

The nest is a bulky cup made of twigs, stems, grasses, and hair, and is constructed by female towhees.

Eggs are laid from March through September with shells that are slightly glossy and pale bluish white with some brownish flecks concentrated mostly on the larger end.

If trends had continued, they might have required to have been repopulated by local wildlife sources, however, in 2001 the Bureau of Land Management enacted a reform to reduce mining, livestock agriculture, and general habitat displacement practices which has helped aid this subspecies to over 700 living birds today.