Cabeza Prieta Natural History Association
Voice of the Desert
Voice of the Desert
by Kate Garmise
Probably named the state bird of Arizona because it is one of the most abundant, the cactus wren is easy to identify. Just listen for the noisy, raucous screech in a cholla, mesquite, or yucca. Or maybe it was chosen as state bird because it made the biggest noise.
The curious cactus wrens are building a nest in a nearby chain-fruit cholla and now I am curious: Why are you building a nest now when it's so hot? How can you do that without poking holes in your feet or your little bodies? Your nest is so elaborate and well-constructed, will you use it later or just for the short nesting period? Will you harass the rattlesnake and person who live near you with your loud raspy voice until they can't stand it any longer and move away?
Often given scientific names that describe the species, the cactus wren's scientific name, Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus, means curved beak with brown cap, which is an accurate descriptor. In addition, a white eyebrow stripe between the beak and the cap gives the cactus wren a distinctive look. But even more distinctive and noticeable is the raucous voice. Maybe the screeches they utter are to take their minds off the pain of cholla spines in their feet - like the karate experts who yell before they break boards with their bare hands.
Spines of cholla cactus are often the sites of the cactus wrens' forts -- the spines keep out most predators. Only whipsnakes, bull snakes, and a few other predators can deal with the spikes. Some researchers say they have seen cactus wrens pulling spines from their feet with their beaks, and a friend found a young wren that had been impaled on spines, but they seem to like the protection provided by the spines even though it may be a problem at times.
The nest is an interesting collection of grasses -- fresh and dried, leafy branches, cactus joints, feathers, and bits of this and that. All the pieces are molded into a smooth-finished, comfortable-looking, dome-shaped hollow with a little opening just big enough for a cactus wren. Roomy inside, the nest will be the home of three to six cactus wren babies for three weeks until they are ready to strike out on their own.
Cactus wrens may have three broods each year. While mom is incubating the first clutch of eggs, dad may build a second nest. Nests may later be used for roosting, sleeping quarters, fledgling resting spots, or as decoys to confuse predators. The nests are built with openings on different sides depending on the season. Summer nests are positioned to catch cool afternoon breezes, for example.
The cactus wren eats insects, spiders, and lizards, but being a survivor, will eat cactus fruit, berries, and many other things as they are available. How cactus wrens can hop around in cholla with its sharp, barbed spines has never been explained in any book, and while he talks to me quite a lot in his very loud voice, he has yet to explain that to me.
Hokkad is the O'odham word for cactus wren. In Spanish, he is called matraca desértica, desert rattle or annoyance.
© Kate Garmise 2001
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