Arizona State Bird: Cactus Wren
Fact-checked • Updated November 24, 2025
Arizona State Bird – Cactus Wren
Arizona designated the Cactus Wren as its official state bird on March 16, 1931. Adults rank as the largest wren species in the United States. The legislature formalized the choice that year. Women’s clubs across Arizona promoted the species in public campaigns. Birds place nests in cholla cacti and meet water needs through food sources in the Sonoran Desert.
Why Arizona Chose the Cactus Wren as State Bird
Arizona chose the Cactus Wren as its state bird on March 16, 1931. Governor George W. P. Hunt signed the legislation into law. The scientific name is Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus couesi.
Arizona picked this bird just 19 years after statehood in 1912. Women's clubs wanted a desert symbol. The General Federation of Women's Clubs planned its Biennial Council meeting in Phoenix from April 27 to May 2, 1931. Arizona needed both a state bird and state flower before delegates arrived.
The Arizona Federation of Women's Clubs launched a statewide campaign in early 1931. The Cactus Wren won by a landslide. Arizona voters preferred this bold desert bird over the Gila Woodpecker and Greater Roadrunner.
Why this bird? Cactus Wrens live throughout Arizona's deserts year-round. Migration never happens. Football-shaped nests appear in cholla cacti. Arizona's extreme heat poses no problem since the birds obtain water from food. These traits made it Arizona's perfect desert symbol.
The subspecies name couesi honors Elliott Coues, an Army surgeon and ornithologist. Coues served at Fort Whipple near Prescott from 1864 to 1865. Natural history surveys across the Arizona Territory occupied his time. Many southwestern bird species received identification and documentation through his work.
History of Adoption: Legislation & Timeline
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1864-1865 — Elliott Coues Surveys Arizona
Elliott Coues arrived at Fort Whipple in July 1864 as an assistant surgeon. He studied birds throughout the Arizona Territory for 15 months. Coues documented species in the Colorado River valley and sent specimens to the Smithsonian Institution.
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1928 — Women's Clubs Vote for Cactus Wren
The Arizona Federation of Women's Clubs voted to support the Cactus Wren as Arizona's state bird. Members wanted a bird that represented Arizona's unique desert environment.
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Early 1931 — Statewide Campaign Begins
Women's clubs organized polls across Arizona. The campaign aimed to adopt a state bird before the General Federation convention in Phoenix. The Cactus Wren won overwhelming support from Arizona residents.
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March 16, 1931 — Governor Signs Law
Governor George W. P. Hunt signed the legislation on March 16, 1931. This officially named the Cactus Wren as Arizona's state bird. Arizona adopted the Saguaro Cactus Blossom as state flower the same day.
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Current Law
Arkansas law recognizes the mockingbird as the state bird of Arkansas.
Symbolism & Cultural Meaning
Desert Resilience
The Cactus Wren represents survival in Arizona's harsh desert climate. Temperatures reach 110°F. No water drinking occurs. Moisture comes from insects and fruits. This adaptation mirrors Arizona's frontier spirit and resilience.
Sonoran Desert Icon
Cactus Wrens appear throughout Arizona's Sonoran Desert. You can spot these birds from Phoenix to Tucson. They perch on saguaro cacti and forage in mesquite. No other species captures Arizona's desert landscape so completely.
Unique State Symbol
Arizona stands as the only state with the Cactus Wren as its official bird. The subspecies couesi honors Elliott Coues, who studied Arizona birds in the 1860s. This connection links Arizona to early scientific exploration of the Southwest.
State Pride and Identity
Arizona businesses and schools use the Cactus Wren in logos and mascots. The bird represents boldness and adaptability. Its loud call and fearless behavior match Arizona's independent character.
Physical Characteristics
Size and Build
Cactus Wrens measure 7 to 9 inches long. Weight ranges from 1.2 to 1.7 ounces. Wingspan reaches 10.6 to 11 inches. America's largest wren species.
Distinctive Markings
A bold white eyebrow stripe extends from the bill to the neck. Brown plumage covers the back with heavy white streaks. The chest shows white with black spots. The tail has black and white bars visible during flight.
Head and Bill
The head displays brown coloring with the signature white stripe. A long, heavy bill curves slightly downward. The bill measures roughly the same length as the head. Birds use this strong bill to probe for insects.
Males vs Females
Males and females look nearly identical. No obvious differences exist in plumage or coloration. Males tend slightly larger in some measurements like bill length. Juveniles appear duller overall with darker heads.
Behavior & Habits
Vocalizations and Calls
Cactus Wrens produce a loud, harsh churring call. The sound resembles a car engine failing to start. Males sing 'cha-cha-cha' or 'churr-churr-churr' to defend territory. Unlike other wrens, they sing throughout the day during breeding season.
Ground Foraging
Cactus Wrens spend most time on the ground hunting food. They hop through brush and turn over leaves with their bills. These birds rarely fly long distances. Their flight pattern alternates between rapid wingbeats and short glides.
Diet and Water
Insects make up the primary diet: ants, beetles, grasshoppers, and wasps. Birds also eat spiders, small lizards, fruits, and seeds. Cactus Wrens rarely drink free-standing water. They get all moisture from food.
Territory and Pairs
Mating pairs defend territories of 3.2 to 4.7 acres year-round. Birds remain in the same territory throughout their lives. Pairs greet each other by spreading wings and tails while making harsh calls. They stay together for life.
Nesting Behavior
Females select the nest site in cholla cactus or thorny shrubs. Both parents build football-shaped nests with side entrances. Nests measure 12 inches long and 7 inches wide. Males construct additional 'dummy' nests while females incubate eggs. Pairs use these extra nests as roosting sites year-round.
Habitat & Conservation in Arizona
Where to Find Cactus Wrens in Arizona
Cactus Wrens live throughout southern Arizona below 4,600 feet elevation. Look for them in areas with cholla cactus, prickly pear, and saguaro. They inhabit Phoenix suburbs, Tucson neighborhoods, and desert parks. The birds prefer areas with thorny shrubs and mesquite trees.
Seasonal Patterns
Arizona hosts permanent Cactus Wren populations. These birds never migrate. They maintain territories year-round in the same locations. Breeding season runs from late February through September.
Conservation Status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists Cactus Wrens as Least Concern. However, populations declined 51-55% between 1966 and 2019. Urban development destroys desert scrub habitat. Wildfires threaten nesting areas. Partners in Flight includes Cactus Wrens on its 'Common Birds in Steep Decline' list.
Threats to Arizona Populations
Habitat loss poses the biggest threat. Phoenix and Tucson expansion removes cholla cactus. Invasive grasses replace native plants and fuel wildfires. Feral cats hunt Cactus Wrens in urban areas. Climate change may push populations northward as temperatures rise.
How to Help Cactus Wrens in Arizona
- Plant native cholla cactus and prickly pear in yards
- Keep cats indoors to protect ground-foraging birds
- Remove invasive grasses like buffelgrass and fountain grass
- Support desert habitat conservation in Arizona
- Create wildlife-friendly landscaping with mesquite and palo verde
- Report Cactus Wren sightings to Arizona Audubon Society
Interesting Facts About Arizona's Cactus Wren
Fact 1 of 14
Arizona is the only state with the Cactus Wren as its official bird
Cactus Wren Songs & Calls
Hear the clear whistles and sharp calls of the Cactus Wren. These field recordings capture their distinctive voice in natural habitat.
Audio licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability. All information has been fact-checked and verified against official government records and scientific databases.
Comprehensive encyclopedic article about the Cactus Wren including taxonomy, behavior, habitat, and conservation status. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
Authoritative bird identification guide with species information, range maps, and behavioral details. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
Detailed species profile with habitat information, diet, nesting behavior, and conservation concerns. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
Official information from the Arizona State Library about the Cactus Wren as the state bird, including history, description, and images. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
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