His Majesty

The Cactus Wren is the largest wren in the U.S. at 7-10 in (18-25 cm) long. The tail isn't usually held cocked, as in other wrens.  They usually nest in taller cacti, especially cholla.  I keep looking for a nest in the cholla which abuts my wall, but so far, no luck.

They eat mostly insects.  Occasionally, they will take seeds and fruits.  I have found they like peanuts.  It's quite entertaining to watch them try to poke them open with their large, curved bills.  They are almost always unsuccessful on the wall because the peanut pops into the air with every jab.  When the nut finally falls to the ground these wrens don't give up.

The Cactus Wren is the state bird of Arizona.  I might have picked something different (had they asked me) but it was chosen in 1931, 19 years after Arizona became a state.

State trivia: Did you know that Arizona was the 48th state to join the Union?  Only Alaska and Hawaii were to follow, 47 years later.