Cactus Wren

Pictures from National Geographic's Birds of North America By George Wall

I hope you all know that the Cactus Wren is the State Bird of Arizona, but what else do you know about this bird?

Description: This is our largest wren at 8 inches This bird is dark brown with a streaked back and has a heavily barred tail and wings. The heavily broad white eyebrow makes it easily distinguishable from the smaller but similar Sage Thrasher. Has a spotted breast. Curved bill.

Territory: They are resident in lower SE California, lower portions of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and a large portion of Mexico. These are territorial birds and usually as a pair.

Diet: Insects, spiders, lizards, fruit, berries, nectar and seeds (seeds more than any other wren). It forages on the ground but may visit feeders for seeds and fruit.

Nest: The female selects the site and their favorite nesting place is the cholla cactus, but they will use yuccas, desert shrubs or trees. Their nest is bulky and pouch-shaped with an internal chamber reached through a small passage and it takes from 7-10 days to complete.

Roosting: The female roosts in the breeding nest and incubates while the male constructs a new nest. The second nest is used for the second clutch or just for roosting by adult or fledgling.

Eggs: 3-7 pinkish-white eggs usually marked with reddish-brown marks are laid. They are about 0.9 inches in size.

Broods: There are 2 broods a year and usually 2-3 of the eggs each time hatch.

Song: A low-pitched, harsh, rapid cha cha cha cha cha