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.

About the photographs

About the map

Play sound from this species

Menu

1. Cool Facts
2. Description
3. Similar Species
4. Sound
5. Range
6. Habitat
7. Food
8. Behavior
9. Reproduction
10. Conservation Status
11. Other Names

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.

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.

Description

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

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

• White outer tail feathers barred with black.
• Underparts white to cinnamon buff, heavily streaked or spotted with black, heaviest on chest.
• Dark bill long and thin with silvery base to lower mandible.

Sex Differences

Sexes look alike.

Immature

Juvenile with paler and more sparsely spotted underparts, darker crown, and lighter markings on back and wings.

Similar Species

• Sage Thrasher without barring on wings and tail, without streaking on back, and without eyestripe.

Sound

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

Range

Range Map

© 2003 Cornell Lab of Ornithology

About the map

Summer Range

Resident from southern California and southern Nevada to central Texas, southward into central Mexico.

Habitat

Resident in arid lowland and montane thorn-scrub, suburbs.

Food

Insects and spiders, rarely reptiles and amphibians, some fruit.

Behavior

Foraging

Forages primarily on ground or in shrubs.

Reproduction

Nest Type

Domed with tunnel-shaped entrance, made of coarse grass or plant fibers. Lined with feathers. Nest placed in cactus or thorn tree, usually surrounded by thorns.

Egg Description

Pinkish, covered in small reddish brown spots which may be concentrated around the larger end.

Clutch Size

Condition at Hatching

Helpless, with some down.

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)

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.