Cactus Wrens
The Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) is the state bird of Arizona. It forms permanent pair bonds, and the pairs defend a territory where they live all through the year.
Description:
The Cactus Wren is the largest North American wren, and is 18-23 cm (7-9 inches) long. Unlike the smaller wrens, the Cactus Wren is easily seen. It has the loud voice characteristic of wrens, but its song is harsh and unmusical, and it is much less shy than most of the family. Its marked white eyestripe, brown head, barred wings and tail, and spotted tail feathers make it easy to identify. Like most birds in its genus, it has slightly curved bill. There is little sexual dimorphism (visual physical differences between the sexes).
Identification Tips:
- Length: 6.5 inches
- Long, slightly decurved bill
- Bold white supercilium (line above eye) contrasting with dark and eyeline
- White throat
- Upper breast densely spotted with black
- Underparts white becoming buffy toward tail and spotted
- Upperparts grayish-brown with black and white streaks and spots
- Long tail barred with black and white
- Dark legs
- Sexes similar
- Similar species: Thrashers are somewhat similar but are larger and lack the white supercilium (line above eye) and dense spotting on the breast.
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Distribution / Habitat:
The Cactus Wren is native to the south-western United States southwards to central Mexico. It is a bird of arid regions, and is often found around yucca, mesquite or saguaro.
Nesting:
It nests in cactus plants, sometimes in a hole in a saguaro, sometimes where its nest will be protected by the prickly cactus spines of a cholla or leaves of a yucca.
Diet:
It mainly eats insects, though it will occasionally take seeds or fruits. It rarely drinks water, getting its moisture from its food.
Copyright: Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from Wikipedia.org and USGS
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