Greater Roadrunner

Habitat

The greater roadrunner lives in dry scrubland areas in Northern Mexico and the South Western USA.

Wild Diet

They eat small animals, including insects, scorpions, rodents and reptiles.

Behaviour

Their scientific name means Californian earth cuckoo, and although they are able to fly, they spend most of their time on the ground, clocking speeds of up to 32km per hour.

Breeding

Roadrunners form monogamous pair bonds, and the male and female birds work together to build the nest.

Threats

Other than ACME rockets and persistent coyotes, the main threats to wild roadrunners are habitat loss and predation by domestic cats.

Conservation

Although their numbers have declined in recent years in some areas, roadrunners are currently considered to be of least concern and doing well.