By Greg Dunne
February 21, 2013 (Lake Jennings) -- Many birds call both California and Arizona their home. Although our state bird, the California Quail, crosses over into other states, it does not cross over to our neighbor to the east in Arizona. However, the Arizona state bird, the Cactus Wren also calls our East County its home.
The Cactus Wren can be found here occasionally in Southern California. This particular Cactus Wren I photographed at Lake Jennings. It was having a good time making itself known; its loud alarm call “tek-tek-tek-tek” as it gets louder and louder towards the end. It seems to me that wrens can throw their voices. This would make sense because wrens will try to distract you from their nest by making themselves heard as they move farther and farther from the nest.