Episode 1217
Cactus wren
Thu, 2020-Sep-03 00:04 UTC
Length - 3:40
Direct Link
Welcome to featured Wiki of the Day where we read the summary of the featured Wikipedia article every day.
The featured article for Thursday, 3 September 2020 is Cactus wren.
The cactus wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) is a species of wren endemic to the deserts of the southwestern United States and northern and central Mexico. It is the state bird of Arizona, and the largest wren in the United States. Their coloration is brown with black and white spots as markings. They have a distinctive white eyebrow that sweeps to the nape of the neck. The chest is white, whereas the underparts are cinnamon-buff colored. Both sexes appear similar. The tail, as well as flight feathers, are barred in black and white. Their song is a loud raspy chirrup; akin – in the description of some ornithologists – to the sound of a car engine that will not start. They are well-adapted to their native desert environment, and can meet their water needs from their diet which consists chiefly of insects, but also of some plant matter. The cactus wren is a poor flier, and generally forages for food on the ground. Ornithologists generally recognize seven subspecies, with the exact taxonomy under dispute.
Their common name derives from their frequenting desert cactus plants such as the saguaro and cholla, building nests, roosting, and seeking protection from predators among them. Their bulky and globular nests are constructed of plant material and lined with feathers. They do not migrate, establishing and defending territories around their nests where they live year-round. They live as pairs, or as family groups from late spring through winter. Pairing among cactus wrens is monogamous; in each breeding season, the males chiefly build nests, the females incubate eggs, and both parents feed the young.
Populations have declined as the species faces threats related to human activities and habitat loss, although the species remains abundant. Habitat fragmentation and fire have been of particular concern, as the cactus wren is slow to disperse into new habitats. Introduced species have also hurt populations. Feral cats hunt many birds in urban settings, and invasive grasses take up valuable foraging space, reducing habitat size. Despite these threats, the cactus wren has proved adaptable. Cactus wrens have learned to coexist with humans effectively, using human materials and structures for nesting, and even learning to take insects from vehicle radiator grilles. The population still numbers in the millions – leading the International Union for Conservation of Nature to consider the cactus wren a species of least concern.
This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 00:04 UTC on Thursday, 3 September 2020.
For the full current version of the article, see Cactus wren on Wikipedia.
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This has been Kimberly Standard. Thank you for listening to featured Wiki of the Day.
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