Cactus Wren
[Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus]

The Cactus Wren has been the state bird of Arizona since 1931; its presence and song are considered characteristic of southwestern deserts. The Cactus Wren is a permanent resident of arid and semi-arid desert regions of the southwestern United States, ranging from southern California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Texas, southward to central Mexico. This arid desert, dominated by cholla and other succulent cacti and spiny trees and shrubs, is characterized by high temperatures, low humidity, and scarce water. The Cactus Wren is generally found below 4,000 feet, although it is found at elevations up to 6,000 feet in areas of New Mexico. The Cactus Wren is not considered threatened or endangered though it is protected, along with all songbirds, by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The Cactus Wren does well in urban areas planted with native species.

T he largest North American Wren, the Cactus Wren is seven to eight inches long, has a long stripe of white feathers that look like eyebrows and a longer-than-usual tail which it does not normally cock up. Males and females are similar in size and markings and have long, pointed, slightly downcurved beaks and long legs. The Cactus Wren has a white belly with brown spots, and speckled brown, black, and white feathers on its back, wings, and head. It has black feathers on its throat and It has long legs and a long pointed beak. The wings and tail feathers are mostly black with white barring and the legs are dark. Juveniles resemble adults, but have fewer, lighter chest spots and a shorter tail.

Cactus wrens frequent areas with thorny shrubs, cacti and trees. The wrens can run swiftly but usually fly if traveling any distance. Nests are made for roosting in at night and for shelter in bad weather.

Curious and Noisy
The very active, curious Cactus Wren's unusual "chug-chug" call is one of the most conspicuous in the foothills. Even though they carry no melody or song-like quality, these territorial characters have a wide vocabulary using a "growl, scri, squal, buzz, tek, dzip, peep, buzz, and rack" to communicate. Quick to investigate any and all new items in their territory, you may find them making an  in-depth inspection of your car, and if your car windows are down, checking out your car's interior. They enjoy harassing a pet cat or dog that enters their territory.

Mating
Breeding begins in late February or early March and continues through June. There may be two or three broods. Nesting occurs on well defined and defended territories, which are occupied most of the year. Territories are aggressively defended by the male throughout the breeding season.

Nesting
The females select a nest site high in native thorny trees and shrubs, showing a preference for cholla cacti. Both the male and female help build large football-shaped nests with a side opening. The nest is a bulky, domed structure, made of plant fibers, grass, twigs and dead leaves. Nests are protected from predators by having only a narrow a tubelike side entrance that can be up to 6 inches long. Although they prefer to build nests in the dense part of thorny desert plants, like the arms of the cholla cactus , the giant saguaro cactus, yucca and other thorny spiny cactus plants, they have been known to use old farm equipment and even clothes line poles for their nesting holes. Nest building has also been observed in non-native trees and shrubs as well as in non-thorny native plants. The Cactus Wren disperses potentially important semi-arid rangeland plants through the material used in building nests; viable seeds can be spread over long distances in this manner.

The male Cactus Wren will often build six or more secondary nests within its territory close to each other. The female will choose the "cosiest" nest for additional broods, while others are often used purely for roosting purposes. The pair often raise several broods in a single season - the male tending for the young in one nest while the female incubates the next batch of eggs in another nest. Additional nests, built by the males, can be used to rear second, sometimes third, broods. They are known for building decoy nests to help keep their primary nest/s safe. They will return to favorite spots to nest or reside year after year. From 3 to 7 eggs are laid and then incubated by the female for about 16 days beginning with the first egg laid, while the male builds secondary nests and defends the territory. Both parents feed the young. Fledging (ready for flight) occurs at 19-23 days. After fledging, the young birds continue to stay in the parent's territory for about a month, sleeping in roosting nests. The chicks stay with the parents for about 50 days, which is longer than most other species.

Diet
Unlike other wrens, the Cactus Wren eats seeds and fruits. They forage mostly on the ground around vegetation for insects, such as beetles, ants, wasps, and grasshoppers, and occasionally small lizards and frogs. Some cactus fruit and berries and seeds are also eaten. Foraging begins late in the morning and activity slows during hot afternoon temperatures. The cactus wren will search under leaves and ground litter and overturn objects in search of insects, as well as feeding in the foliage and branches of larger vegetation. Well-adapted to the desert they can survive without water, relying on the juice of insects . Almost all water is obtained from food, and free standing water is rarely used even when found.