Roadrunner Fact Sheet

Common Name: Roadrunner

Scientific Name: Geococcyx Californianus & Geococcyx Velox

Wild Status: Not Threatened

Habitat: Arid dessert and shrub

Country: United States, Mexico, and Central America

Shelter: These birds nest 1-3 meters off the ground in low trees, shrubs, or cactus

Life Span: 8 years

Size: 2 feet in length; 8-15 ounces

Details

The genus Geococcyx consists of two species of bird: the greater roadrunner and the lesser roadrunner. They live in the arid climates of Southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America. Though these birds can fly, they spend most of their time running from shrub to shrub. Roadrunners spend the entirety of their day hunting prey and dodging predators. It's a tough life out there in the wild! These birds eat insects, small reptiles and mammals, arachnids, snails, other birds, eggs, fruit, and seeds. One thing that these birds do not have to worry about is drinking water. They intake enough moisture through their diet and are able to secrete any excess salt build-up through glands in their eyes. This adaptation is common in sea birds as their main source of hydration is the ocean. The fact that roadrunners have adapted this trait as well goes to show how well they are suited for their environment. A roadrunner will mate for life and will travel in pairs, guarding their territory from other roadrunners. When taking care of the nest, both male and female take turns incubating eggs and caring for their young. The young will leave the nest after a couple weeks and will then learn foraging techniques for a few days until they are left to fend for themselves. Cool Facts

• Roadrunners leave footprints shaped like an 'X'. This makes it difficult to decipher which direction they are traveling. • They can run up to 20mph. • Nicknamed "snake killer", this bird will sometimes eat rattlesnakes. It can do so because of its quickness and wit. • These animals do not have to drink water. They get all the hydration they need from their diet and their highly adapted digestive system. • Roadrunners are in the cuckoo bird family. • They are the only predator of the tarantula hawk wasp. • In order to increase body temperature during the day, the roadrunner will expose dark patches of its skin to heat up. • According to Native American lore, some tribes considered the roadrunner to be a symbol of good health and luck. They have been nicknamed "medicine birds".

Taxonomic Breakdown

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae Subfamily: Neomorphinae Genus: Geococcyx Species: Californianus; Velox

Conservation & Helping

Roadrunners are not considered threatened or endangered. This is possibly due to their advanced foraging abilities and their ability to survive without drinking water. This means that as long as vegetation and other animals are in some number, they will survive.

Download all our fact sheets, take our quizzes, and more, all in the Critter Squad Kids’ Zone! https://www.crittersquad.com/kids-zone/