THE CACTUS WREN
Curiosity and interaction between the spiny and the animal worlds.
Symbol of the state of Arizona and, more generally, of the extraordinary complicity between animal and vegetable worlds, the cactus wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) is a bird known for its habit of nesting on columnar cacti of Saguaro National Park (USA). It has adapted to living in arid climate so dear to Carnegiea, Cylindropuntia and Ferocactus: it feeds on small insects, but only manages to hunt in the morning, when the temperature is not too high, while in the afternoon it prefers to burrow fresh in its nest. Often a welcome guest among the blades of Opuntia, more frequently it builds its hiding place inside the stems of the Saguaro, digging with its beak a small cavity that provides shelter, protection, and especially refreshing. No fear of spines, indeed! Never a shelter could be safer: the long spines discourage any reckless predator.
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