Portrait of AZ State Bird

Photo by Marty Horowitz 1/19/2015

The Cactus Wren is the state bird of Arizona. Males and females look the same, and they eat mostly insects. They build their nests of grasses and other plant materials in cacti - often chollas. This one is perched on an Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens), which is not a cactus. (Ocotillos have leaves at times; cacti never do.)

Octotillos and Boojums (Fouquieria columnaris) are the only members of their family (Fouquieriaceae). If you've never seen a Boojum, and can't make it to Baja California, head to the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum (right here in Tucson); the Desert Botanical Garden (in Phoenix), and/or Boyce Thompson Arboretum (in Superior).