Saguaro Cactus Boot Bird Nest SW AZ Great Holder For Air Plant Or Succulent

$40.0
Brand
Unbranded
Type
Bird Nest
condition
Used

The natural Saguaro Cactus Boot is from the Sonoran Desert in southwestern Arizona. This decorative collectible features a distinctive boot shape, making it a standout piece for bird enthusiasts and collectors alike. Great for displaying large air plant or succulents.


Saguaro cactus boots are formed when birds, primarily Gila woodpeckers and gilded flickers, excavate nesting cavities within the cactus. The saguaro then secretes a sap that hardens around the cavity, creating a tough, boot-shaped shell called a saguaro boot. When the cactus dies, the soft tissue decomposes, leaving behind the hardened boot-like structure as a remnant of the bird's nest, according to the Desert Museum and Wikipedia.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

1. Bird Excavation:

Gila woodpeckers and gilded flickers, both native to the Sonoran Desert, excavate cavities within the saguaro cactus for nesting. They typically start by drilling through the cactus skin and then excavate downward, creating a hollow space.

2. Saguaro's Protective Response:

The saguaro reacts to the injury by secreting a sap that hardens over time, forming a callus-like layer. This layer acts as a protective barrier, similar to how a scab forms on a wound.

3. Formation of the Boot:

The hardened sap, rich in lignin, forms a strong, boot-shaped structure around the cavity. This is the saguaro boot.

4. Other Birds' Use:

Once the original nesting birds abandon the cavity, it becomes a suitable home for other desert birds such as cactus wrens, elf owls, purple martins and flycatchers. The sturdy, boot-like structure provides shelter and protection.

5. Decomposition:

When the saguaro cactus eventually dies, the soft tissue decomposes, leaving behind the woody infrastructure and the hardened saguaro boot.

Size of this boot is approximately 8” l X 6.5” w x 5” h. Shipping via USPS ground advantage.

Please see pictures for condition.

Thanks for looking!