Greater Roadrunner

The Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) is a large, long-legged bird in the cuckoo family, Cuculidae. It is one of the two roadrunner species in the genus Geococcyx.

Physical features

Adults have a bushy crest and long thick dark bills. They have a long dark tail, a dark head and back, and are pale on the front of the neck and on the belly. Although capable of flight, they spend most of their time on the ground. They can run at speeds of 15 miles per hour or more. They nest on a platform of sticks in a cactus or bush.

Behavior

These birds walk rapidly about, running down prey or occasionally jumping up to catch insects or birds. They mainly eat insects, small reptiles, rodents, tarantulas, scorpions and small birds.

Habitat

Their breeding habitat is desert and shrubby country in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. They can be seen in the states of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas, and rarely in Arkansas and Louisiana. The Roadrunner is the state bird of New Mexico.

Cultural references

This bird was the model for the Warner Bros. Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner cartoons. However, unlike the cartoon, the song of this bird is a dove-like coo.

The University of Texas at San Antonio mascot is a roadrunner, named Rowdy.

Image gallery

image:Roadrunnerusarmy31.jpg|Roadrunner with lizard image:roadrunneraz3.jpg Image:roadrunneraz2.jpg Image:Roadrunner42406.jpg

References

Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern

External links

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Greater_Roadrunner_dtl.html
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Geococcyx_californianus.html

Avifauna of Mexico | Avifauna of Southwestern United States | Geococcyx | United States state birds