Arizona State Bird - The Cactus Wren

The Arizona state bird is the cactus wren which is the largest wren in the United States. The cactus wren are most commonly found in the deserts amongst thorny bushes and cactus plants, hence it's name, and making it the perfect choice as the state bird for Arizona. The cactus wren also loves the shade trees as nesting sites.

Arizona was one of the later states to join the union. On February 14, 1912 it became the 48th state. The cactus wren was named as Arizona's state bird in 1931. Cactus wrens are residents of Arizona for 365 days a year, another reason that makes them the perfect choice as Arizona's state bird.

There are about 80 species of true wrens in about 20 genera. Depending on the bird species either the male or female will select the nesting site. In the case of the cactus wren, the female selects the nest site.

Wrens range in size from 4 inches on the small end to as much as 9 inches on the larger side. The Arizona state bird cactus wren is one of the larger wrens measuring an average of 8 1/2 inches.

In addition to Arizona, the cactus wren can be found in other south western states such as California, Nevada, Texas, and New Mexico.

The nests are built in such as fashion that they can serve as both nesting places, roosting places, and a refuge from inclement weather.

The typical diet of the cactus wren is insects - beetles, ants, wasps, grasshoppers, and spiders. Less often they will eat fruit from the cactus. If you have a bird feeder and want to attract them, they are fond of sweet corn and raw apple chunks.

The cactus wren is a songbird and as all songbirds in Arizona are protected by state law, it is against the law to kill them. The male cactus wren sings from a high perch announcing his territory to all pretenders that might think about moving in.

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