Description: The Greater
Roadrunner is one of the most recognizable
birds of the desert. It is actually the
largest member of the cuckoo family.
Measuring about 20 inches in length,
the ground-dwelling Roadrunner is mostly
brown with heavy white streaks. Its breast
and underparts are whitish and it has
a conspicuous, shaggy crest. The Roadrunner
has bare, blue skin around its eyes and
a small patch of red feathers in back
of the blue skin. It has a long bill
and extremely long legs, which propel
it to speeds of 18 miles per hour. Males
and females are similar.
Diet: The
Roadrunner is an opportunistic feeder.
Its diet includes lizards, snakes, large
insects, scorpions, eggs, mice, small
birds, and carrion. It catches its prey
with its sharp bill and beats on the
ground or against a rock. It will even
capture birds at bird feeders and nest
boxes.
Range: The
range of the Roadrunner has recently
expanded. It breeds and winters throughout
southern California, Arizona, New Mexico,
northern and central Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma
and into western Louisiana and Arkansas.
Habitat: The
Roadrunner prefers semi-arid grasslands
with shrubs and brush.
Nesting: Female
Roadrunners lay 2-6 eggs in a thorny
nest lined with snakeskin, leaves, grass,
and other materials. it is usually positioned
in a cactus, bush, or small tree.
Status: The
Roadrunner is common and stable.
Roadrunner Video
Roadrunner Song
