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Greater Roadrunner

Geococcyx californianusOrder: CUCULIFORMESFamily: Cuckoos and Roadrunners (Cuculidae)
Greater-Roadrunner Head Illustration

Head

  • Bill Shape: All-purpose
  • Eye Color: Black upon hatching, becoming dark grayish brown; Brown or gray-brown in adults, with straw-yellow ring near pupil.
  • Head Pattern: Eyeline, Crested or plumed, Streaked, Spotted
  • Crown Color: Brown, white and buff streaked.
  • Forehead Color: Brown, white and buff streaked.
  • Nape Color: Brown, white and buff streaked.
  • Throat Color: Brown, white and buff streaked.
  • Cere color: No Data
Greater-Roadrunner Body Illustration

Body

  • Length Range: 51-61 cm (20-24 in)
  • Weight: 374 g (13.2 oz)
  • Size: Size 4. Large (16 - 32 in)
  • Color: White, Brown, Black
  • Underparts: BUFF
  • Upperparts: Brown, white and buff streaked.
  • Back Pattern: Striped or streaked
  • Belly Pattern: Striped or streaked
  • Breast Pattern: Striped or streaked
Greater Roadrunner Flight Illustration

Flight

  • Flight Pattern: Alternates several shallow rapid wing beats with long glides.
  • Wingspan Range: 81 cm (32 in)
  • Wing Shape: Rounded-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Rounded Tail
  • Tail Pattern: Streaked
  • Upper Tail: Brown
  • Under Tail: BUFF
  • Leg Color: Blue-gray
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Family Roadrunners and Cuckoos (Cuculidae)_blue
Species Geococcyx californianus
Length20 - 24 Inches
Wingspan32 Inches

Greater Roadrunner

Greater Roadrunner: Large, ground-dwelling cuckoo with overall brown, white and buff streaked appearance. Head has a shaggy crest. Face has blue and orange bare patch of skin behind eyes. Tail is long. Eats insects, lizards, snakes, rodents, small birds and fruits and seeds. Can run up to 15 mph.

● Song: "coooos"

● Foraging & Feeding: Greater Roadrunner: Diet consists mainly of insects, snails, lizards, scorpions, spiders, young birds, small mammals, and in winter, plant material. Famous for its ability to prey on rattlesnakes; picks snake up by the tail and kills it by slamming the head onto the ground.

● Breeding & nesting: Greater Roadrunner: Two white to pale yellow eggs are laid in a flat stick nest lined with grass, and usually built in a thick shrub or cactus close to the ground. Eggs are incubated for 20 days mostly by the male.

● Similar species: Greater Roadrunner: None in range.

Flight Pattern

Alternates several shallow rapid wing beats with long glides.
Greater-Roadrunner Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Greater Roadrunner: Resident in southwest U.S. and Mexico; found in open, arid country with scattered thickets.
BreedingMonogamous, Thought to pair for life, Solitary nester
PopulationFairly common to common
MigrationNonmigratory
Weight13.2 Ounces