Last updated: May 21, 2024
Place
Signs of Life, Self-Guided Tour Stop 3
NPS
Quick Facts
Location:
32.25447451021544, -111.19762347157896
Significance:
Tour stop
Designation:
NPS
Stop 3: Nests
Remember to look up once in a while—there may be a nest in a tree, or even on the “shoulder” of a saguaro arm. A common nest in the desert is that of the cactus wren, Arizona’s state bird.They appear as masses about a foot across and at least two to three feet off the ground in cacti or shrubs. The nests are woven from grasses and plant stems and are lined with feathers. This bird is busy building nests throughout the year. Cactus wrens build nests in springtime to lay their eggs in, of course, but while the female is brooding her eggs, the male may be building another nest, either for a second clutch of eggs or for the first nestlings to use as they grow. Sometimes cactus wrens have three broods in one year! Other nests to look for are those of the verdin, curve-billed thrasher, phainopepla and white-winged dove, especially in palo verde trees.
Remember to look up once in a while—there may be a nest in a tree, or even on the “shoulder” of a saguaro arm. A common nest in the desert is that of the cactus wren, Arizona’s state bird.They appear as masses about a foot across and at least two to three feet off the ground in cacti or shrubs. The nests are woven from grasses and plant stems and are lined with feathers. This bird is busy building nests throughout the year. Cactus wrens build nests in springtime to lay their eggs in, of course, but while the female is brooding her eggs, the male may be building another nest, either for a second clutch of eggs or for the first nestlings to use as they grow. Sometimes cactus wrens have three broods in one year! Other nests to look for are those of the verdin, curve-billed thrasher, phainopepla and white-winged dove, especially in palo verde trees.