Upland Ground

Greater Roadrunner

Geococcyx californianus
Greater Roadrunner thumbnail
Length: 23 in. (58 cm )
This famous cartoon character is even more intriguing in life. It lives on the desert floor, agricultural fields and open pine forests. Occasionally it will sit in the top of a bush to sing its courtship song. On cold desert mornings, the Roadrunner warms itself up by raising its back feathers, exposing the black skin under them, and absorbing the sun\'s energy efficiently. Its foot print in the dust is distinctive with two toes forward and two back to form an \X.\ This cuckoo relative eats insects, lizards, baby quail, mice, snakes and occasionally fruits. Its stick nest is located low in a dense bush or clusters of cacti.

The four-digit banding code is GRRO.

Male | Herbert Clarke


Agricultural

Chaparral

Desert

Mesquite bosque

Savanna

Shrubs

Urban city
Bird Sound Type: Buzzing
Sex of Bird: Male
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Bird Sound Type: Buzzing
Sex of Bird: Male
Sonogram Large:
Sonogram Zoom:

View Citation

You may need to edit author's name to meet the style formats, which are in most cases "Last name, First name."

Bibliographic details:

  • Article: Greater Roadrunner
  • Author(s): Dr. Biology
  • Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
  • Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
  • Date published: July 13, 2017
  • Date accessed: March 7, 2024
  • Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/greater-roadrunner

APA Style

Dr. Biology. (2017, July 13). Greater Roadrunner. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved March 7, 2024 from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/greater-roadrunner

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Dr. Biology. "Greater Roadrunner". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 July, 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/greater-roadrunner

MLA 2017 Style

Dr. Biology. "Greater Roadrunner". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 7 Mar 2024. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/greater-roadrunner

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
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