Greater Roadrunner

~ Amusives

The Feather Files
Name: Greater Roadrunner
Species: Geococcyx californianus
Native to and Migration: Year round resident of the desert and semi-open, scrubby habitat of South West United States and Mexico
Date Seen: March 2018; April 2015
Location: North of Fountain Hills, Arizona
Notes: These raven sized birds eat mostly animals – almost anything they can catch: small mammals, reptiles, frogs, toads, insects, centipedes, scorpions, and birds. Rattlesnakes are also on the menu. They are fast and agile on the ground, but aren’t strong fliers. When threatened or displaying to a rival, they erect their crest.

The roadrunner in the first two photos was in our yard. The last photo was a bird in the neighbourhood. Sadly, they did not find and remove the rattlesnake that liked to hang out on our patio.

3 thoughts on “Greater Roadrunner”

  1. That’s the first time I’ve ever seen a picture of a Greater Roadrunner … what a large tail it has, but I guess it is good for balance as it runs at the speed of sound.

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    1. That’s what struck me too – big tail! I know they can move very quickly, but they saunter through my yard like they are the king/queen of the neighbourhood.

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