Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) [XC285491]
by from Falcon County Park (near Falcon State Park), Starr Co, Texas, United States (song)
Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) [XC875449]
by Matthew L. Brady from Apple Valley, San Bernardino County, California, United States (song)
Subspecies
Has been thought by some to form a superspecies with Boucard's Wren (Campylorhynchus jocosus) and Yucatan Wren (Campylorhynchus yucatanicus). Sometimes regarded as conspecific with Yucatan Wren (Campylorhynchus yucatanicus), but differs significantly in plumage, voice, behaviour and nest form. USA and northern Mexican population sometimes referred to as subspecies anthonyi, but name couesi has priority.
The following 9 subspecies are recognised:
couesi Sharpe, 1882 - Southern USA (southern Nevada, south-western Utah, southern Arizona, southern New Mexico, southern Texas) and north-western and north-central Mexico (northern Sonora, northern and eastern Chihuahua, northern Coahuila).
sandiegense Rea, 1986 - Extreme south-western USA (coastal southern California) and north-western Baja California.
bryanti (Anthony, 1894) - Western coast of Baja California (between 31º north and 29º 30' north).
purus (van Rossem, 1930) - Both coasts of Baja California between c. 29º north and 25º north.
seri (van Rossem, 1932) - Tiburón I, in Gulf of California.
affinis Xántus, 1860 - Southern Baja California (southern from 25º north).
brunneicapillus (Lafresnaye, 1835) - North-western Mexico (central Sonora south to northern Sinaloa).
guttatus (Gould, 1837) - Central Mexican plateau from Nuevo León south to Michoacán and Hidalgo.
anthonyi Mearns, 1902 - Arid south-western US to northern Baja, north-western Mexico and extreme northern Tamaulipas.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet