Feather Bed - Winter Prep

[c.j.]

CJ's Desert Dwellers: Cactus Wren Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus

Family: Troglodytidae (Wrens)

Size: 18-22cm (7.8.75in)

Cactus Wren Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus is the state bird of Arizona

Distinguished from other wrens by its larger size and heavy spotting. In adults, the spotting gathers into a large cluster on the upper breast.

It's range is the southwestern US into central Mexico.

This wren is quite used to me and operates with impunity. It was busy gathering the feathers of a Gambel's Quail that had been killed in the early morning by the hawk.

They make their nests in cactus, (wow, shocked?) This Cactus Wren Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus is nesting in a Cane Cholla Opuntia spinosior. The yellow areas are acually the seed pods, formed after the cholla flowers. The purple in the flesh is due to stress from cold.

They are very vocal, with a raspy nte that increase in rapidity.


I was actually out for more butterfly shots, but this wren was all around me, so I just 'clicked' a few.

Canon Digital Rebel XTi
Canon Macro Lens 180mm
Canon Extender 1.4
Kinesis harness
handheld
cropped

[Copy_Kot]

Another great image C.J! It looks like it belongs in a field guide. I really appreciate the additional information you provide when you post your images

[karen m.]

Great shot, thanks for sharing

[Bevb]

Great shot cj, i would think hard to see as camoflaged well against the Cactus? but as you state quite a big bird for a wren member, our wrens are so tiny and on the move all the time they are hard to find to photograph.

What a great alternative when there was no butterflys around!

[paulnj]

Boy do I miss watching the cactus wrens hunting spiders in AZ . I think this image might benefit from some more brightness though.