The Cactus Wren #2

by Robert Bales

Title

The Cactus Wren #2

Artist

Robert Bales

Medium

Photograph - Photo

Description

The Cactus Wren is the largest North American wren, at 18 to 23 cm (7.1 to 9.1 in) long. Unlike the smaller wrens, the Cactus Wren is easily seen. It has the loud voice characteristic of wrens. The Cactus Wren is much less shy than most of the family. Its marked white eyestripe, brown head, barred wings and tail, and spotted tail feathers make it easy to identify. Like most birds in its genus, it has a slightly curved bill. There is little sexual dimorphism.

The Cactus Wren is an active mobbed of nest predators. A pair was observed attacking a Yuma antelope squirrel so vigorously that the squirrel became impaled on the thorns of a cactus called the cholla. The wrens continued to peck the squirrel until it was knocked to the ground where it escaped.
The Cactus Wren destroys the nests of other bird species, pecking or removing their eggs, and can lower the breeding density of Verdins (another desert bird).
Cold desert nights may have more of an impact on the success of Cactus Wren breeding than extremely hot daytime temperature.

Uploaded

February 8th, 2016

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