Arizona Symbols, State Bird & State Flower

 Adopted in 1931.

The Cactus Wren is the largest wren in Arizona, measuring 7 to 8 inches in length. Its song is a rather raucous and unmusical cha-cha-cha which sounds like a car engine trying to turn over. The Cactus Wren's back is brown with white spots and its underparts, including the throat, are lighter colored with black spots. The bill is as long as its head and curves down slightly. Its wing feathers have white bars and its tail has black bars. A distinctive white line appears over each eye. The Cactus Wren resides at lower elevations in the southern and western part of the state below the Mogollon Rim. It can also be found in parts of Utah, Texas, New Mexico, California, and Mexico.

Cactus Wrens can be seen in their Sonoran desert habitat and in open woodlands and grasslands where cholla cactus are found. They are omnivorous, foraging for insects on the ground and in trees and shrubs and also feeding on seeds and fruits. They are active during daylight hours at any time of the year. Cactus Wren eggs and the young wrens are vulnerable to smaller predators such as Blue Jays and snakes; the adult birds are rarely preyed upon. Their nests are football-shaped, made of grass, and lined with feathers. In urban areas, the nests may contain lint, string, paper, rope, rags, and other items. The nests are perhaps the most conspicuous nests in the desert. Cactus Wrens usually build their nests in cholla cactus or thorny trees to protect themselves and their young from predators. Their nests serve as a home for year-round protection from the cold, the rain, and nighttime enemies.

The female Cactus Wren lays 3-4 eggs which are then incubated for about 16 days. Only the females are involved with the incubation. The young weigh approximately 3-4 grams at hatching. About 65-70% of all nesting attempts are successful. The young leave the nest after approximately three weeks. Most pairs raise 2-3 families between late March and July.

The Cactus Wren lives 2-4 years and is protected by federal law, as are all songbirds in Arizona. It is illegal to hunt or possess live specimens. The Cactus Wren was officially designated the Arizona State Bird by legislative action on March 16, 1931.

Adopted on March 16, 1931.

The Saguaro Blossom was adopted as the floral emblem of the Arizona Territory on March 8, 1901, and officially confirmed as the state flower by the Legislature on March 16, 1931. Prior to its adoption, a saguaro cactus appeared on the first territorial seal of Arizona in 1863.

The fragrant, waxy white saguaro blossom is one of the most unique State flowers. In May and June, the Cactus bears creamy white flowers with yellow centers that measured about three inches. The Saguaro Cactus flower can be found on the end of the branches. The flower only opens on cooler nights and is closed during the heat of midday. However, it's not easy to see the beautiful, creamy white, trumpet-shaped flowers inasmuch as they open only at night and last only about 18 hours. The flowers are sweetly scented and attract bees and flies through its blooming season of May and June. By July, the flowers become red-fleshed fruits that feed doves migrating from Mexico.

The saguaro cactus has been described as the monarch of the Sonoran Desert, as a prickly horror, as the supreme symbol of the American Southwest, and as a plant with personality. nto the Rincon and West Tucson mountains

The Saguaro is renowned for the variety of odd, all-too-human shapes it assumes, shapes that inspire wild and fanciful imaginings.

Saguaro are found only in the Sonoran desert. The giant saguaro is the king of cacti. A full-grown saguaro is usually more than 35 feet in height and is at least 75 years old, sometimes reaching a height of 50 feet and life span of 200 years. Some have arms but all are green and have a wax-like skin that helps prevent water loss. Rare and endangered this extraordinary giant cactus has been protected within Saguaro National Park since 1933 .

The saguaro fruit has long been used by the Papago and Pima Indians who harvest the fruits and make syrup.

Saguaro seeds contain the psychoactive alkaloids Carnegine and Arizonine. The Saguaro is a relatively fast growing cactus Also known, as Saguaro is the most famous giant cactus of the world. Can grow up to 12 M height. Saguaro wine is used for rain rituals. The pulp can be boiled down or fermented, witch gives you sweet, brown syrup. This can be mixed with water or alcohol, which gives you Saguaro beer or wine.