Birds › Desert scrub › Cactus Wren

Cactus Wren

Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus

The largest wren in the United States and the state bird of Arizona. It builds extra nests just to sleep in.

Where to see it for real: Plant cholla or other spiny cactus; it may also peck at cut fruit.

Spot it in the game

Lives in the Desert scrub habitat (Sonoran Desert, Arizona and Mexico).

Cactus Wren facts

Family

Wrens

Length

7.5 in (19 cm)

Weight

1.4 oz (39 g)

Diet

Insects and spiders, plus some cactus fruit and seeds.

Range

Deserts of the southwestern United States and northern and central Mexico.

Nest

A football-shaped nest of grass with a side tunnel, built in cholla cactus.

Song

A harsh, rasping "cha-cha-cha-cha", like a car that will not start.

Active

at dawn and by day

Status

Least Concern on the IUCN Red List: widespread and not at risk.

What the Cactus Wren sounds like

How to attract the Cactus Wren

Feeder foods, favorite first: fruit, mealworms. Feeders that hold them: platform feeder.

In the game: fill a feeder with fruit and mealworms. It is a common visitor.

More: bird songs and calls, what to feed birds.

More birds of the desert scrub

Greater RoadrunnerDesert scrubGambel's QuailDesert scrubGila WoodpeckerDesert scrubCurve-billed ThrasherDesert scrubVerdinDesert scrubPhainopeplaDesert scrub