| Greater Roadrunner | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Cuculiformes |
| Family: | Cuculidae |
| Genus: | Geococcyx |
| Species: | Geococcyx californianus |
The Greater Roadrunner is a signature bird of the desert Southwest.
Description[]
The Greater Roadrunner is 25-30 cm tall, weighs 230-240 g, and has a 43-61 cm wingspan. Its long tail, often kept in an upright position, accounts for almost half of its 50-60 cm body length. The upperparts and the wings are dark brown with white speckles, the underparts are whitish. The eyes are yellow, and around them is a patch of featherless blue skin. On its head is a black crest. Its bill and legs are both bluish in colour. The Roadrunner has zygodactyl feet, meaning it has four toes, two facing forward and two facing back.
Behaviour[]
A ground-dwelling cuckoo, it feeds on snakes, scorpions, insects and any other small animals it can catch and subdue. To kill a small vertebrate it smacks it repeatedly agains a rock before swallowing it whole. Sometimes it eats cacti as well. It rarely ever flies, despite being able to, but can run up to 30 km/h thanks to its strong legs. When running, it uses its long tail to steer.
To attract a female or to renew pair bond, the male does a display in which he opens his tail and prances around. [1] Once two birds become a pair, they remain together for life. It nests in Spring, usually in a bush, at a height of about 1.5 metres. The female lays 2-8 eggs, which she incubates for 3 weeks. The young reach sexual maturity when they are 2 or 3 years old.
Distribution and Habitat[]
The Greater Roadrunner is widespread across the deserts and prairies of Mexico and the southern United States. During the 20th century, its range expanded all the way to southern Missouri and western Louisiana.