Greater Roadrunner

The Greater Roadrunner, Geococcyx californiana is a large long-legged member of the Cuckoo family, Cuculidae.

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.

Their breeding habitat is deserts and shrubby country in the southwestern United States. They nest on a platform of sticks in a cactus or bush.

They are permanent residents.

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

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.

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