Mar 022010
 

Cactus Wren CACW

click here for the auricular study

Our state bird, the Cactus Wren is fun to have around.  The largest of US wrens at 8.5″ with a wingspan of 11″.

Cactus Wren

Cactus Wren with scorpion

In their natural habitat, 50% of the nests were built in jumping cholla cactus.

Cactus Wrens lay two clutches per year and lay on average 3 eggs per clutch.

Cactus Wren nest

Cactus Wren nest

Cactus Wren nests are typically vertical and about 12″ deep.  This nest was at a 20 degree incline and only about 8″ deep.

There were two Cactus Wren chicks in the nest.  You can see mom or dad on the left that caused the chicks to scream for food.

Cactus Wren nest

Cactus Wren nest

Incubation period for a Cactus Wren chick is about 16 days.

It takes about 20 days for it to fledge.

Cactus Wren chick day 9

I was very lucky to see one of the Cactus Wren chicks on its first day out of the nest.

The day after this shot the nest was empty and no one was around.

Cactus Wren chick

Cactus Wren chick

A Cactus Wren study stated that 51% of their nests reside in Cholla cactus.

Cholla cactus with Cactus Wren nest

Cholla cactus with Cactus Wren nest

Cholla cactus is locally called jumping cactus.  The thorns are extremely sharp and barbed and attach to anything.

Cholla "jumping" cactus

Cholla “jumping” cactus

Cactus Wren left wing

Cactus Wren left wing

Cactus Wren

Cactus Wren

Cactus Wren home fries

Cactus Wren home fries

Cactus Wren cough

Cactus Wren cough

Cactus Wren singing

Cactus Wren singing

Cactus Wren CACW

Cactus Wren CACW

Cactus Wren CACW

Cactus Wren CACW

Cactus Wren CACW

Cactus Wren CACW

Cactus Wren CACW auricular study

Cactus Wren CACW

Cactus Wren CACW

Cactus Wren CACW meatus

Cactus Wren CACW meatus

Cactus Wren CACW meatus

Cactus Wren CACW sonus auricular

Cactus Wren CACW sonus auricular

Cactus Wren CACW sonus auricular

Cactus Wren CACW barb spacing

Cactus Wren CACW barb spacing

Cactus Wren CACW barb spacing

Cactus Wren CACW barb angle

Cactus Wren CACW barb angle

Cactus Wren CACW barb angle

Cactus Wren CACW plucked auriculars

Cactus Wren CACW plucked auriculars

Cactus Wren CACW plucked auriculars

Microscopy @ 50x 150x 300x proximal sonus auricular.

Cactus Wren CACW proximal sonus

Cactus Wren CACW proximal sonus

Distal and medial microscopy.

Cactus Wren CACW distal sonus

Cactus Wren CACW distal sonus

Cactus Wren CACW

Cactus Wren CACW

 

 

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