Cactus may seem rather prickly and unfriendly, but many creatures that live in the desert, including birds, rely on them for food and shelter. In this article we will take a look at 13 birds that spend at least part of the year in these desert areas, and are cactus eaters or cactus dwellers.
13 Cactus Loving Birds
Cactus nesting is a great strategy for protection, surrounding yourself with thorns to keep away unwanted predators. And in some of these areas where tall trees are few and far between, sometimes the tall cactus are the only option. Even a few woodpeckers have adapted to this landscape, swapping their typical trees for large cactus. Cacti can provide a lot of food as well, between it’s seeds, pollen, flower nectar and fruit. In a dry landscape, cactus fruit is also an important source of water. Let’s take a look at 13 birds that call cactus land their home.
1. Cactus Wren
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Cactus Wren | image via Pixabay
Scientific Name: Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus
Cactus wrens are a bird species found in the southwestern United States, ranging from California to Texas and Mexico. This bird is found in arid deserts with plenty of cactus and spiny plants. The plumage of cactus wrens is grayish-brown with white stripes on the eye and a dark crown. They’re also the largest wrens in the United States, measuring up to 9 inches in length and 11 inches in wingspan.
In addition to living in arid deserts and surviving in hot climates, this bird builds nests in thorny trees. Their nests are shaped like a football with a tunnel entrance, and they like to build in cholla, palo verde, mesquite and other desert plants where the nest is surrounded by protective thorns. They will even use these nests when not breeding as a roosting spot. Cactus wrens mainly eat insects they pick from vegetation, but also like cactus fruit.
2. Costa’s Hummingbird
Scientific Name: Calypte costae
Costa’s hummingbird is a small bird native to Mexico and western America. This hummingbird is the second smallest species of hummingbird in North America, measuring only 3.5 inches long with a wingspan of 4.3 inches. They can be found in various desert-like habitats, preferably those with Joshua trees and cholla cacti.
These hummingbirds primarily feed on nectar from flowers, including saguaro cactus nectar. Costa’s hummingbirds are also solitary birds that’ll migrate if the weather becomes too hot. These birds are among the most important pollinators of cacti in the desert.