The Greater Roadrunner – at 26 mph or 42km/h.

The Greater Roadrunner - Geococcyx californianus - is a long-legged bird in the cuckoo family. It is found in south western United States and northern Mexico. They are found in open arid and semiarid country with scattered brush. It is the state bird of New Mexico.

Description

Adults have a bushy crest and long thick dark bill. They have a long dark tail, dark head and back, and blue on the front of the neck and on the belly. Juveniles look similar to the adult, but less distinctly marked and lacking metallic bronze gloss. Roadrunners have four toes, two face forward, and two face backward. They are capable of weak flight, but spend most of the time on the ground.

Call

Call is a downward slurring "co-coo-coo-coo-cooooo." Also a clattering "whirrrr" call. This bird does not go "beep-beep"!

Food

It mainly feeds on insects, fruit, seeds, small reptiles, small birds and carrion.  

Breeding

The nest is a shallow platform of thorny sticks. It is lined with leaves, grass, feathers, snakeskin, and other materials. It is placed in a thorny bush, small tree, or cactus. The eggs are white with yellowish chalky film and 3 to 6 eggs are laid. They hatch in about 20 days and the chicks fledge in another 18 days.

Conservation Status – Least Concern

Although the range has expanded, populations where it is common show no long-term trend.

Bird watching

The greater roadrunner can be found in southern California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. It is also found in northern Mexico.

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