Head Shot of a Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus)
The Cactus Wren is the State Bird of Arizona, and was designated as such in 1931. It's range is throughout the Southwest to California and into Central Mexico. Perfectly adapted to desert life, it does not need to drink water, obtaining all the fluid it needs from eating a diet of insects, seeds, and fruits. It builds large nests that it uses year round in Cholla, Prickly Pear, and Saguaro Cactus. They pair bond for life, aggressively defend their territory, destroying other birds nests and eggs and chase potential predators away. The oldest Cactus Wren banded in California and re-captured in the same state, was a male, 8 years, I month. The Cactus Wren is also the largest of the North American wren species.
"Cactus Wren populations declined by about 1.6% per year between 1966 and 2015, resulting in a cumulative decline of 55% over that period, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Partners in Flight estimates the global breeding population at 7 million, with 43% in the U.S. and 57% in Mexico. The species rates a 12 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Score, and is a U.S.-Canada Stewardship species. Cactus Wren is not on the 2016 State of North America's Birds' Watch List. Urban and agricultural expansion threaten Cactus Wren habitat especially when cacti and desert shrubs are lost altogether." *See references below.
www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cactus_Wren
tucsonaudubon.org/go-birding/arizonas-audacious-state-bir...
Head Shot of a Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus)
The Cactus Wren is the State Bird of Arizona, and was designated as such in 1931. It's range is throughout the Southwest to California and into Central Mexico. Perfectly adapted to desert life, it does not need to drink water, obtaining all the fluid it needs from eating a diet of insects, seeds, and fruits. It builds large nests that it uses year round in Cholla, Prickly Pear, and Saguaro Cactus. They pair bond for life, aggressively defend their territory, destroying other birds nests and eggs and chase potential predators away. The oldest Cactus Wren banded in California and re-captured in the same state, was a male, 8 years, I month. The Cactus Wren is also the largest of the North American wren species.
"Cactus Wren populations declined by about 1.6% per year between 1966 and 2015, resulting in a cumulative decline of 55% over that period, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Partners in Flight estimates the global breeding population at 7 million, with 43% in the U.S. and 57% in Mexico. The species rates a 12 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Score, and is a U.S.-Canada Stewardship species. Cactus Wren is not on the 2016 State of North America's Birds' Watch List. Urban and agricultural expansion threaten Cactus Wren habitat especially when cacti and desert shrubs are lost altogether." *See references below.
www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cactus_Wren
tucsonaudubon.org/go-birding/arizonas-audacious-state-bir...