The Cactus wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) is a species of wren endemic to the deserts of the southwestern United States and northern and central Mexico. It is the state bird of Arizona, and the largest wren in the United States.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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InsectivoresAn insectivore is a carnivorous plant or animal that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of e...
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ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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TerritorialA territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima...
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MonogamyMonogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. This pair may cohabitate in an area or territory for...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe Cactus wren has a thick, heavy bill that is dull black, curves slightly downwards, and is about the same length as the head. The wren’s coloration is brown with white speckles. The crown is chocolate brown with a light red tinge. A distinctive white supercilium (eyebrow) runs from the bill to the nape of its neck, which is brown with white markings. The chin is white, while the neck has black markings on a mostly white background. Their chest is white with brown or black speckles, and the belly is generally white with some brown or black streaks. The rump and back are gray to brown with white and black streaks. Both the lower underparts and the flanks are cinnamon-buff colored. The Cactus wren's ten primary and nine secondary flight feathers are barred, alternating between black and off-white. Its twelve rectrices are barred, alternating between brownish-black and pale gray-brown. The outer rectrices are white-tipped. When flying, a white band can be seen on the underside of the tail feathers. The tail is barred in alternating stripes of black, white, and brown. The legs are brown to pink-brown. Males and females look alike; juveniles can be distinguished by their paler coloration and red-brown to muddy-gray eyes. Adults have more red-brown to red eyes. Other distinctive features of juveniles include the lack of a white nape streak and less noticeable black chest markings.
Cactus wrens are found only in the southwestern United States and northern and central Mexico. These birds live in arid and semi-desert regions and generally require spiny cacti to nest in.
Cactus wrens do not migrate; instead, they establish and defend the territories around their nests where they live all year-round. The territory is defended from other birds by fluffing tails and feathers and vocal scolding. Cactus wrens live in pairs, or as family groups from late spring through winter. They are not strong fliers and generally forage for food on the ground. They will overturn leaves and other objects on the ground to find food. Some individuals have learned to take insects caught in vehicle radiator grills. Feeding begins in the late morning. As temperatures rise, they seek out shaded areas in order to forage in cooler environments. The main call of the Cactus wren is a harsh and raspy series of 'jar-jar-jar', or 'char', notes, which increase in volume and pitch as the song goes on. Males are the primary singers, although females can also sing - their song is weaker and higher pitched. Males begin singing before dawn and prefer to vocalize from high vantage points, such as trees, telephone poles, tall cacti, or roofs. A 'buzz' or 'tek' is given as a warning call. 'Rack' calls are used for locating an existing mate, or other wrens. A high-pitched 'squeal' is given only during nest building. 'Scri' notes are let out during territorial disputes with other wrens. Chicks make various begging vocalizations, including a soft 'pee'p and fledglings typically produce a 'dzip' call.
Cactus wrens are primarily carnivores (insectivores), although they will also take seeds, fruits, and even small reptiles. They also sip nectar from saguaro blossoms and eat insects trapped within. Parents feed young with whole insects, although they may first remove wings or legs.
Cactus wrens are monogamous and form permanent pair bonds. Their breeding season begins in late February and runs through March. There is a distinctive greeting ceremony between pair members, where they spread their wings and tails and give a harsh call. Mating displays begin with a growl-like noise and end in gentle pecking. Nests are built in cacti, thorny desert trees, or yucca. They are generally loose, bulky and globose, and adapted to fit the nest site. The nests are constructed of grass, twigs, feathers, weeds, and other light detritus, and are lined with feathers and down. The female usually lays 3-4 eggs which are smooth and ovate, colored white to pale pink, and covered in brown speckles. Incubation takes about 16 days and is done solely by the female. Chicks hatch with closed eyes and are mostly bald, with sparse patches of fuzzy white down. They are fed by their parents for the first 3 weeks after hatching and gain independence between 30 and 50 days of age. The young may remain in the parent's territory for a while after fledging but will be driven off by the next breeding season. Juveniles that have not left may help take care of successive broods. Pairs may raise up to 3 broods per year but 1 or 2 broods is more typical.
Populations of the Cactus wren have declined mainly due to human activities and habitat loss. Habitat fragmentation and fire have been of particular concern, as the Cactus wren is slow to disperse into new habitats. Introduced species have also hurt their populations. Feral cats hunt many wrens in urban areas, and invasive grasses take up valuable foraging space, reducing habitat size.
According to Partners in Flight resource, the total population size of the Cactus wren is 7 million individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List but its numbers today are decreasing.
Social animals are those animals that interact highly with other animals, usually of their own species (conspecifics), to the point of having a rec...