The Cactus Wren is the largest wren in North America and the state bird of Arizona, known for building bulky, football-shaped nests in cholla cactus with the entrance at the side. It prefers to walk rather than fly, navigating cactus forests on the ground. Its harsh, mechanical 'chur-chur-chur' call is one of the defining sounds of the Sonoran Desert.
Best time to see a Cactus Wren
The best time to see a Cactus Wren is January–May, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 13,422 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
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Recent Cactus Wren sightings near you
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