Cactus Wren

Cactus Wren of the Affinis group, likely subspecies bryanti, near Catavina, Baja California, 27 Sep 2005. Note the darker back lacking rufous tones with prominent streaking.

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

A conspicuous sight and sound of the Southwestern deserts, the Cactus Wren is the largest wren in North America. Although it can be found in urban backyards, it is a true bird of the desert and can survive without freestanding water.

Description

• Very large wren.
• Upperparts brownish with scattered white streaks.
• Long white eyestripe.
• Wings barred.
• Long, brown tail barred with black.

• Size: 18-22 cm (7-9 in)
• Weight: 32-47 g (1.13-1.66 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes look alike.

Sound

Song a loud series of harsh "char" notes, increasing slightly in volume and pitch.

Conservation Status

The loss of coastal sage-scrub in southern California has serously reduced the isolated population of Cactus Wrens living there. Although it is somewhat tolerant of urban development, the large-scale development currently underway throughout the Southwest has caused declines in Cactus Wren populations.

Other Names

Troglodyte des cactus (French)
Matraca del desierto (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• The Cactus Wren is an active mobber of nest predators. A pair was observed attacking a Yuma antelope squirrel so vigorously that the squirrel became impaled on the thorns of a cactus called the cholla. The wrens continued to peck the squirrel until it was knocked to the ground where it escaped.

• The Cactus Wren destroys the nests of other bird species, pecking or removing their eggs, and can lower the breeding density of Verdins (another desert bird).

• Cold desert nights may have more of an impact on the success of Cactus Wren breeding than extremely hot daytime temperature.

Sources used to construct this page:

Proudfoot, G. A., D. A. Sherry, and S. Johnson. 2000. Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus). In The Birds of North America, No. 558 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.