Cactus Wren

            The Cactus Wren is a species of wren that is native to the southwestern United States southwards to central Mexico. The Cactus Wren is the largest North American wren, at 18–23 long. Unlike the smaller wrens, the Cactus Wren is easily seen. It has loud voice characteristic of wrens. The Cactus Wren is less shy than most of the family. It's marked white eyes tripe, 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 primarily eats insects, including ants, beetles, grasshoppers, and wasps. It is a bird of arid regions, and is often found around yucca, mesquite or saguaro; it nests in cactus plants, sometimes in a hole in a saguaro, sometimes where its nest will be protected by the prickly cactus spines of a cholla or leaves of a yucca. The Cactus Wren forms permanent pair bonds, and the pairs defend a territory where they live all through the year. In residential areas, Cactus Wrens are notorious for getting into mischief. Being curious birds, it is not uncommon for these wrens to be found flying about out-of-place in automobiles where the owner has left a window open or in a residential garage with an open door.