Scientific Name: Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus

Residency: Southwestern Arizona, year-round.

Diet: Insects (beetles, ants, wasps, grasshoppers).

Predators: Snakes, including Red Racer.

Nesting: Pairs normally build a bulky woven nest in natural fortresses such as clumps of cholla cactus or spiny shrubs. However, Cactus Wrens make nests for other uses than breeding; one nest within a territory is used as a nursery, while others serve as sleeping quarters for their parents or decoys to fool predators. They also make individual roosting nests, which they use year round.

Nesting Records: Scottsdale Community College, Coon Bluff, Brown's Ranch, Watt Preserve, and the Riparian Preserve at the Gilbert Water Ranch.

Notes:  The Cactus Wren is the largest wren in North America and is, in fact, Arizona?s state bird. Although no North American wren species is considered threatened or endangered, the cactus wren may be declining, according to Breeding Bird Survey data.

Photo: Photo at right was taken at Scottsdale Community College on April 16, 2002. For more photos, click on camera icon.