Greater Roadrunner
Geococcyx californianus
Upland Ground
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 |
Agricultural
Chaparral
Desert
Mesquite bosque
Savanna
Shrubs
Urban city
You may need to edit author's name to meet the style formats, which are in most cases "Last name, First name."
https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/greater-roadrunner
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: 13 Jul, 2017
- Date accessed: 18 May, 2025
- Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/greater-roadrunner
APA Style
Dr. Biology. (Thu, 07/13/2017 - 15:37). Greater Roadrunner. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved 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 Jul 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/greater-roadrunner
For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/04/
MLA 2017 Style
Dr. Biology. "Greater Roadrunner". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 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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