Cactus Wren

Cactus Wren
The Cactus Wren, the largest wren in the United States, is 7-9 inches long. Sexes are similar, characterized by a long, slightly decurved bill, dark crown with a distinctive white stripe over the eye, white throat, gray-brown back streaked with white and black, and white to buff belly and sides, densely spotted at the breast. 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.

The Cactus Wren is a permanent resident of arid and semi-arid desert regions of the southwestern United States, ranging from southern California, Nevada, and Utah, and central New Mexico and Texas, southward to central Mexico.
Cactus Wren Range Map

The Cactus Wren primarily eats insects, including ants, beetles, grasshoppers, and wasps. Occasionally, it will take seeds and fruits. Foraging begins late in the morning and is versatile; 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. Increasing temperatures cause a shift in foraging behavior to shady and cooler microclimates, and activity slows during hot afternoon temperatures. Almost all water is obtained from food, and free standing water is rarely used even when found.

The breeding habitat of the Cactus Wren is successional scrub. Nesting occurs on well defined and defended territories, which are occupied most of the year. The females select a nest site high in native thorny trees and shrubs, showing a preference for cholla cacti. Nest building has also been observed in non-native trees and shrubs as well as in non-thorny native plants, though it is not known if these are only used for roosting purposes. Both the male and female help build the large spherical nest of dry grasses, often lined with feathers. Nests are protected from predators by having only a narrow side entrance and the substrate armature. Breeding begins in late February or early March and continues through June. Clutches consist of 4-5 buff colored eggs, speckled with brown. The female incubates the first clutch for approximately 16 days, beginning with the first egg laid, while the male builds secondary nests and defends the territory. Both parents feed the young and fledging occurs at 19-23 days. After fledging, young continue to stay in the parent's territory for about a month, sleeping in roosting nests; this post-fledgling care is long compared to most temperate-zone passerines. Additional nests, built by the males, can be used to rear second, sometimes third, broods. Clutch size, clutch survival, and additional reproductive behavior are often limited by food availability; fluctuating brood size appears to be an advantageous adaptation to unpredictable desert environments and food availability

The Cactus Wren is an active and inquisitive bird, behaviorally well adapted to arid desert climates. Heat stress, due to limited water and the high evaporation characteristic of their environment, is prevented by daily and seasonal shifts in foraging behavior according to temperature; they will move to cooler, shady microclimates and decrease activity during the hottest part of the day. Flight is primarily low over the ground.

The use of thorny trees and shrubs for nesting sites helps defend against predators. However, some predators, especially whipsnakes, do prey on eggs and nestlings. Territories are aggressively defended by the male throughout the breeding season. Nests-destroying behavior was observed by Simons and Simons (1990) when they would place foreign nests inside the territory of a wren, even on non-nesting substrate. This probably represents competition for food and predator-free space. The male Cactus Wren, like other wrens, will often build six or more secondary nests within its territory that can be abandoned at any stage. The female will choose the "cosiest" nest for additional broods, while others are often used purely for roosting purposes.

The territorial song of the Cactus Wren consists of a succession of rapid, harsh, mechanical, unmusical, monotone, low-pitched notes, written as "chur chur chur." Danger and warning calls consist of a rapid buzz of varying intensity. Juveniles often use an indefinite, quiet warble that is less loud and precise than the adult territorial song

The Cactus Wren is common throughout the southwestern United States. 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. Arid hillsides and valleys will also be used. 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. They are common even in urban areas planted with native desert vegetation.

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