The Cactus Wren
(Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus)

The State Bird of Arizona

 

The Cactus Wren inhabits parts of Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, Texas, and Mexico. It lives under 4,000 feet above sea level in desert thickets and areas with large cactus like the Saguaro and the Cholla. Primarily, it only lives in areas that have cactus varieties large enough to support the weight and mass of its nests. Cactus Wrens construct two nests, one for rearing their offspring, and one for roosting.

The Cactus Wren uses its long bill to look under and around things on the ground as it forages for food. Its diet consists of ants, grasshoppers, beetles, wasps, fruits, seeds, and under certain circumstances, it will eat small frogs and lizards. It gets most of the water it needs to survive from the moisture contained in the foods that it eats.

Cactus Wrens mate from late February into March. They're capable of having as many as three broods in a single season. Females choose a nesting place, usually in a large cactus. Males will help with the construction of the nests, which is made with grasses, small twigs, and straw – and then lined with feathers. The male seems to be most involved in bring materials with which to construct the nest. Ultimately, the female will enter the nest and put on all the final, finishing touches.

The nest of the Cactus Wren is rather large and football-shaped. The entrance to the nest is constructed on the side of the nest, which helps to protect fledglings and parents from predators. It appears that the Cactus Wren may also build additional nests as decoys to distract and mislead predators. They will sleep in different nests over time. This behavior is likely to confuse the predators which hunt them.

The female Cactus Wren lays three to six brown-spotted, salmon colored eggs. The eggs will hatch in just over two weeks.
The young wrens will start to leave the nest after about three weeks, striking out on their own, but still nesting with the parents. Even when the young do leave the nest, they will be dependent on their parents for food for roughly another four weeks.

The Cactus Wren is the largest of the wrens, and carries its tail pointing down, instead of up like other wrens. This particular wren's song is usually described as more of an irritating noise than a birdsong. Some describe it as noisy and raucous, while others say it sounds like an engine that is repeatedly trying to turn over. Cactus Wrens are very curious birds, which appear to learn quickly.

The Cactus Wren was voted as the Arizona State bird on March 16, 1931.

There is an ongoing discussion regarding the reason for the choice of this rather bland in appearance bird, which does not have an alluring song or particularly endearing habits. You be the judge…

Additional Information on the Arizona State bird:

http://az.gov/webapp/portal/

http://www.arizonaguide.com/home.asp

<< Return to Animal Articles