Arizona State Bird

Cactus Wren

(Campylorpynchus brunncicapillum)

 Adopted on March 16, 1931.

The Cactus Wren, Campylorpynchus brunncicapillum, was adopted as the official state bird of Arizona on March 16, 1931. It remained Arizona's only official wildlife representative until 1985

The Cactus Wren lives 2-4 years and is protected by federal law, as are all songbirds in Arizona. It is illegal to hunt or possess live specimens. The Cactus Wren was officially designated the Arizona State Bird by legislative action on March 16, 1931.The Cactus Wren is the largest wren in Arizona, measuring 7 to 8 inches in length. Its song is a rather raucous and unmusical cha-cha-cha which sounds like a car engine trying to turn over.

Description of the Arizona State Bird: Cactus Wren

The Cactus Wren's back is brown with white spots and its underparts, including the throat, are lighter colored with black spots. The bill is as long as its head and curves down slightly. Its wing feathers have white bars and its tail has black bars. A distinctive white line appears over each eye. The Cactus Wren resides at lower elevations in the southern and western part of the state below the Mogollon Rim. It can also be found in parts of Utah, Texas, New Mexico, California, and Mexico.

The female Cactus Wren lays 3-4 eggs which are then incubated for about 16 days. Only the females are involved with the incubation. The young weigh approximately 3-4 grams at hatching. About 65-70% of all nesting attempts are successful. The young leave the nest after approximately three weeks. Most pairs raise 2-3 families between late March and July.

• Size: 18-22 cm (7-9 in)
• Weight: 32-47 g (1.13-1.66 ounces)
• Very large wren.
• Upperparts brownish with scattered white streaks.
• Long white eyestripe.
• Wings barred.
• Long, brown tail barred with black.
• White outer tail feathers barred with black.
• Underparts white to cinnamon buff, heavily streaked or spotted with black, heaviest on chest.
• Dark bill long and thin with silvery base to lower mandible.

Statute

Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 41, Chapter 4.1, Article 5, Section 41-854.

Title 41 - State Government.
Chapter 4.1 - HISTORY, ARCHAEOLOGY AND STATE EMBLEMS.
Article 5 - State Emblems.

41-854. State bird The cactus wren, otherwise known as Coues' cactus wren or heleodytes brunneicapillus couesi (Sharpe) shall be the state bird.

Taxonomic Hierarchy of the Cactus Wren