Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus)

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A Field Guide to Eastern Birds. by Roger Tory Peterson.

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Color Photograph: U.S. National Parks Service

Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus)

Identification: Length from tip of bill to tip of tail 24 inches. A large, ground-dwelling bird. Head, neck, back, and wings brown-black heavily streaked with white. Top of head with a crest. The eyes are bright yellow and followed by blue and red patches at their rear margins. Bill strong, recurved downward. Undersides white, with the neck and breast with strong black lines. Legs long and agile.

Similar Species:  The Greater Roadrunner cannot be mistaken for any other North American bird.

Breeding Range (see map below): The Greater Roadrunner is a primiarly southwestern U.S. species, but its range extends eastward as far as Arkansas and Louisiana. Its breeding range extends southward into Mexico.

Overwintering Range:  See above.

Habitat: The Greater Roadrunner lives in desert, dry grasslands, or dry shrublands.

Food:  Reptiles, mice, scorpions, and insects.

Behavior: Although not quite as intelligent as shown in the movies, the Greater Roadrunner is a favorite of bird watchers and cartoon enthusiasts. The species is extremely fast and agile and easily outruns and evades all potential predators. The species bobs its head up and down or side to side and when excited or angry raises its crest. The voice is a variable series of groans, clucks, and whines. It does not go beep-beep.

Reproduction:  The clutch consists of 3 to 5 cream-colored eggs. The eggs are laid in a stick nest lined with grass. The nest is usually placed near the ground in a cactus or shrub.