Greater Roadrunner
Image: sdymersk (cc-by-nc)
NameGreater Roadrunner
Common NameGreater Roadrunner
Scientific NameGeococcyx californianus
FamilyCuculidae
Wingspan (cm)52
Length (cm)55
Weight (g)365
Plumage DetailsOverall streaky brown and white plumage, with a shaggy crest of dark feathers. It has iridescent blue and red bare skin patches behind the eyes and a long, dark, often cocked tail.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include a distinctive descending series of coos, often described as 'coo-coo-coo-coo-coo,' and a rapid, mechanical clattering sound made with the bill.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatsdesert, grassland
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in the southwestern United States and Mexico, inhabiting arid and semi-arid regions.
Identifying FeaturesLong tail, Shaggy crest, Streaky brown plumage, Long legs, Terrestrial habits, Bare skin patches around eyes, Fast runner
Description
The Greater Roadrunner is a large, long-legged terrestrial cuckoo known for its speed. It has a shaggy crest, streaky brown plumage, and a long tail, often seen running across open ground in arid environments. This opportunistic predator primarily hunts on the ground.
