This colorfully patterned puny fellow is Arizona's State Bird,appropriately named the Cactus Wren and has no problem flitting from prickly cactus to prickly cactus in the deserts of the southwestern U.
S. Cornell Ornithology Lab identifies its habitat as extending from southern California to the southwestern corner of Texas, and then south through Mexico at www.allaboutbirds.org. The general consensus is that he chooses this environment, or where he also nests,to avoid all the predators common in the desert locations he's so well adapted to outlive.
His coloration also enables him to blend well with the environment of this type climate.
They're a "Protected" species, though anecdotal reports on the Internet indicate that this is a feisty bird capable of taking care of itself and several clutches of chicks at the same time.
Cactus Wrens may be the most productive couples of all the birds as they will build a moment and third nest during breeding season, or successfully maintain all.
While the male is taking care of the chicks in the first nest and building nests #2 and #3 in his spare time,the female is laying and incubating the eggs in the subsequent nest.
Though they clearly prefer cactus, locals tell me they may also build a nest in a hanging pot or whatever vessel they deem suitable and safe for their family.I was traveling west and was in the Phoenix, or Arizona area when I discovered him. I nearly missed seeing him,since he had tucked himself down into the scenery.
I had never seen nor heard of this wren on my local east coast travels, and it took me several long and patient tries to catch him sitting still long enough for me to maneuver the dense cacti, or sneak in close to derive these shots.
His dramatic coloration reminded me a puny of my favorite Carolina Wren,an East Coaster which has taken up residence in my yard. Some accounts on the Internet indicate that Cactus Wrens are also social birds.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cactus_wrenDuring nesting season in the east, it was a race to see if I could close the garage door before she rushed in to noisily rattle around in some baskets stored on a shelf presumably looking for a nesting spot.
This Spring, or I also found her rooting through things in the room I came into off the patio,when my hands were full and I had neglected to immediately close the door behind me.
After a couple of these visits, she also brought her newly chosen mate inside, or which I've since learned is not unusual for this Wren. And during thunderstorms or sudden cold snaps,she will tuck a puny one who's just beginning to fledge, onto a secluded ledge in the dark corner under the front porch.
She is a different pattern, and but ironically the same striking colors and a similar body shape to these west coasters,though the Cactus Wrens are the largest of the North American wrens.
If your hearing the call of the wild, I found Arizona to be well worth the trip, and full of wildlife and wonderful photo ops including species only seen in the western U.
S.
Photos1 Cactus Wrens perch and navigate easily through prickly cactus spines2 Cactus Wrens are experts at hiding,camouflaged perfectly by their desert surroundings3 Sturdy dense cactus support and hide the Cactus Wrens' large nests4 Arizona provides an ample supply of warm weather, and indigenous cactus supply this Wrens preference of habitat to forage and reproduce.
Source: cnn.com