Learn about how a saguaro cactus provides a unique home for animals like elf owls and woodpeckers. A fun and simple guide for kids to explore desert nature.
Imagine a very tall cactus growing in the desert. This special cactus is called a saguaro. It can grow so big that birds make homes in it!
On the big saguaro, there is a hollow — that means a little hole or space inside. Inside this hollow, an elf owl lives. This little owl has big, bright eyes that glow when it is dark. The hollow is like a cozy house for the owl to sleep and stay safe.
Now, look carefully! A woodpecker is pecking, or tapping, on the big cactus. It makes new hollows by pecking holes with its strong beak. The woodpecker uses these holes to live in, but also, these holes become new homes for other birds who need a safe place for their nests.
The saguaro cactus helps many animals by giving them places to live. The elf owl and woodpecker show us how animals can share nature and help each other find a safe home.
Isn’t nature amazing? Now you know how some birds live in tall cactuses!