Last Updated on January 27, 2024 by Greg Gillson
It’s been over 40 years since the Roadrunner cartoon was last shown on broadcast television. Though it seems to be available on Amazon Prime streaming services.
Nevertheless, many people still think of the roadrunner as a cartoon. You may wonder, Is the Roadrunner a REAL BIRD?
Indeed, it is. The Greater Roadrunner is one of two species of roadrunners in the world. It is the only roadrunner found in North America.
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| What do you mean, “Am I real?” |
Description of Roadrunners
The Greater Roadrunner, Geococcyx californiatus, is a larger bird. It is 20-24 inches long from bill tip to tail tip.
Roadrunners a have medium long neck, long bill, crested head, and long floppy tail.
They primarily dwell on the ground. They chase down prey and flee from danger by running on long legs.
Roadrunners are in the cuckoo family. Some cuckoos are famously known for their breeding strategy of laying their eggs in the nest of other birds, for the host bird to raise as their own. However, roadrunners build their own nests and raise their own young.
Roadrunners are sometimes referred to as ground-cuckoos.
Roadrunners do, though, have the foot structure of cuckoos. It is called zygodactyl, with two toes forward and two toes backward in the shape of an X.
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| Roadrunner in alert posture |
Roadrunners live in the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. They are found from California to Texas and as far to the northeast as Missouri.
These birds are colored tan with black and brown streaks on the upper parts and wings. The belly is pale. The crest is dark. The tail is blackish with a green sheen.
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| Letting her tail down. |
Do roadrunners really run on roads?
Roadrunners do run along roads and trails. They chase lizards for food and run from danger. They can run at least 20 miles per hour. Despite the cartoon, coyotes can run twice as fast as roadrunners.
Roadrunners can fly. Though they usually don’t fly very far or high. They prefer to run. But you may see them fly up into the lower branches of a tree, or glide down a ridge.
Usually, though, they hop from branch to branch up into a tree, rather than fly.
When roadrunners run, they kind of crouch forward with straight neck. The tail is also held parallel to the ground. The whole posture is horizontal and stealthy.
Then they pull up to a halt with neck, tail, and crest raised. Then off they go again.
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| Very horizontal running posture of roadrunner. |
Some Roadrunner behaviors and anecdotes
When sitting still, the tail is often raised and lowered slowly.
The crest indicates the bird’s mood. It is often raised in alarm or curiosity.
My grandfather told me of a roadrunner in Death Valley, California, that had a strange morning ritual. At sunrise each morning this bird would go into the campground to fight for an hour with its reflection in the kickplate of the restroom door!
The song of roadrunner is rather ventriloqual–it’s hard to locate the source. I once tracked down a roadrunner that was cooing–its mating call. I finally located it. It was on the peak of a roof on the residential edge of Kit Carson Park in Escondido, California.
I was able to observe the cooing song of a roadrunner delivered from a large boulder in the Ramona Grasslands Preserve. The bird started with head and tail raised as it looked about. But when it began “singing” he dropped his tail and bowed his head to the ground. Surprise! The cooing was delivered with the bill closed and almost touching the ground with each head bow and coo!
While cooing, the bare skin behind the eye became more prominent, with the blue becoming more intense and a large red patch of skin showing behind. After a few seconds the color drained away.
Most field guides say that roadrunners are “unmistakable.” But that’s not necessarily true. In the 1940 book Birds of Oregon by Gabrielson & Jewett, they discredited the first Oregon sight report of Roadrunner. It seems that in the 1880s Judge Denny imported many Chinese Pheasants, now known as Ring-necked Pheasants, into Oregon–and North America–for the first time. One observer in the late 1800’s evidently saw a female pheasant, didn’t know what it was, and reported it as a roadrunner!
Most roadrunners are rather shy and cautious. You usually see them running away. But I’ve been to patio restaurants in the desert where roadrunners come up to the tables for hamburger or other meat scraps from the patrons.
Roadrunners sometimes look for food on lawns and golf courses. They eat almost anything: seeds, lizards, small birds, large insects and beetles. They even eat dog food set outside by campers! So campgrounds in desert grasslands are an excellent area to look for these fascinating birds.
Wrapping Up
The Roadrunner may seem “weird” for different reasons depending on your perspective. Here are some of the things that contribute to its unique reputation:
Behavior:
- Speed: Their speed, reaching up to 20 mph, is impressive for a bird and stands out compared to slower-moving species.
- Running bipedally: Unlike most birds, they primarily run on two legs, making them resemble small dinosaurs in motion.
- Hunting techniques: They stalk and chase prey like lizards and snakes, showcasing a more active hunting style than some birds of prey.
- Pre-tenderizing food: They sometimes beat their prey against hard objects before eating, a behavior not commonly seen in other birds.
Physical characteristics:
- Long tail: Their long, aerodynamic tail plays a crucial role in balance and maneuverability during high-speed chases.
- Prominent crest: The crest on their head adds to their distinctive appearance and might seem unusual compared to other birds.
- Large beak: Their powerful beak, well-suited for capturing and handling prey, can appear formidable compared to smaller, seed-eating birds.
However, it’s important to remember that these perceived “weird” features are actually adaptations that help the Roadrunner thrive in its natural environment. Their speed and unique hunting style make them efficient predators, and their physical characteristics are well-suited for their active lifestyle.
Ultimately, “weird” is subjective, and what you find strange about the Roadrunner might be fascinating to someone else. Appreciating its unique adaptations and role in the ecosystem can offer a new perspective on this remarkable bird.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Greater Roadrunners rare?
No, Greater Roadrunners are not considered rare! In fact, they are classified as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), indicating a stable and widespread population with no immediate threat of extinction. Here’s why:
Population:
- Estimated Global Population: 8.9 million breeding individuals
- Range: Found across a large area of North America, from Alaska and Canada south to Mexico and Guatemala
- Habitat: Adaptable to diverse habitats, including mature forests, woodlands, parks, and even backyards with large trees
Reasons for Stability:
- Adaptability: Their ability to thrive in various habitats helps them cope with environmental changes.
- Abundant food sources: Their diet of insects and other invertebrates is widely available in their ran
Where do Greater Roadrunners live?
Greater Roadrunners are found in a range spanning North America, Mexico, and parts of Central America. Here’s a breakdown of their specific habitat preferences:
North America:
- Southwestern United States: They are primarily found in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, and southern California.
- Range expansion: Their range has been slowly expanding northeastward in recent years, with sightings as far east as Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
Mexico:
- Widespread: They are widely distributed throughout the country, including the Pacific slope, Yucatan Peninsula, and parts of the central highlands.
Central America:
- Limited presence: They are primarily found in southern Mexico, with some populations extending into Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
Habitat preferences:
- Open, arid, and semi-arid areas: They favor desert scrublands, chaparral, grasslands, and woodlands with scattered trees and brush.
- Need for ground cover: Dense understory vegetation or low shrubs are essential for hiding and hunting prey.
- Proximity to water: Access to a water source is important, especially during the hot summer months.
Why is the greater roadrunner New Mexico’s state bird?
There are several reasons why the Greater Roadrunner was chosen as New Mexico’s state bird in 1949:
Representing the New Mexico landscape:
- Habitat: The Greater Roadrunner’s preferred habitat – arid scrublands, deserts, and woodlands – aligns perfectly with the diverse landscapes of New Mexico, making it a symbol of the state’s natural beauty and unique ecosystems.
- Adaptability: Their ability to thrive in various environments mirrors New Mexico’s diverse terrain, showcasing the state’s resilience and adaptability.
Cultural significance:
- Native American beliefs: Some Pueblo tribes, like the Hopi, considered the Roadrunner a protector against evil spirits, connecting it with the cultural heritage of the region.
- Frontier folklore: Early settlers believed the Roadrunner could lead lost people back to trails, highlighting its symbolic connection to the state’s pioneer spirit.
