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Casa Grande Ruins National Monument A cluster of Saguaro blossoms.
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Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
Birds and Insects of the Sonoran Desert
A Gilded Flicker perched on Saguaro cactus blossoms.

Copyright © Jim Creager

The Gilded Flicker is common in the Sonoran Desert.

Birds

Probably the most famous bird of the Sonoran Desert is the roadrunner. But this desert is also a great habitat for doves, quail, hummingbirds, cactus wrens, Gila woodpeckers and cardinals. 

The Gilded Flicker makes its home in the Sonoran Desert and has adapted well to the desert environment. Large birds like owls, hawks and vultures help maintain a balance in the rodent population by eating small animals like mice.

 
A common tarantula

Copyright © Denise Shultz

Tarantula

Insects, spiders and such

Creepy crawly things like insects and snakes are also a very important part of the life-scape of the Sonoran Desert. Bugs, beetles, and crickets are very tasty to the scorpion.

Many spiders live here too. The tarantula is one of the biggest and can live to be 20 years old!

 

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The 'Big House' at Casa Grande Ruins circa 1900.

Did You Know?
An estimated six million pounds of caliche were used in the construction of the Casa Grande. Caliche is a naturally occurring soil consisting of clay, sand and calcium carbonate found in the deserts of the southwest.
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Last Updated: April 02, 2008 at 13:16 MST