The cactus wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) is a species of wren that is native to the southwestern United States southwards to central Mexico.
Video Cactus wren
Diet
The cactus wren primarily eats insects, including ants, beetles, grasshoppers, and wasps. Occasionally, it will take seeds, fruits, small reptiles and frogs. 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.
Maps Cactus wren
Habitat
It is a bird of arid regions, and is often found around yucca, mesquite or saguaro; it nests in cactus plants, sometimes in a hole in a saguaro, sometimes where its nest will be protected by the prickly cactus spines of a cholla or leaves of a yucca.
Behavior
The cactus wren forms permanent pair bonds, and the pairs defend a territory where they live all through the year.
In residential areas, cactus wrens are notorious for getting into mischief. Being curious birds, it is not uncommon for them to be found flying about out-of-place in automobiles where a window has been left open or it may even enter homes through an open door or window and find itself trapped.
State bird
The cactus wren is the state bird of Arizona.
Gallery
References
External links
- Cactus Wren videos (Tree of Life)
- Cactus Wren videos on the Internet Bird Collection
- Stamps (for Mexico, United States) with RangeMap
- Cactus Wren photos VIREO
Source of article : Wikipedia