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AZ State Symbols
State Bird of Arizona
By USGS
Sep 7, 2006, 11:30 PST



Learn all about the Cactus Wren, the state bird of Arizona.


Cactus wren Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus

Identification Tips:

  • Length: 6.5 inches
  • Long, slightly decurved bill
  • Bold white supercilium contrasting with dark crown and eyeline
  • White throat
  • Upper breast densely spotted with black
  • Underparts white becoming buffy toward tail and spotted
  • Upperparts grayish-brown with black and white streaks and spots
  • Long tail barred with black and white
  • Dark legs
  • Sexes similar

Similar species:

Thrashers are somewhat similar but are larger and lack the white supercilium and dense spotting on the breast.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.
Source: USGS

Learning Links

The Arizona State Bird: Cactus Wren
"The cactus wren was chosen as Arizona's state bird by the Arizona Legislature in 1931. It remained Arizona's only official wildlife representative until 1985."
Source: Arizona Capitol Museum

Suggested Reading



Handheld Birds and Software at National Geographic


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