Greater Roadrunner | Rattlesnakes... no big deal!

Adaptable, quick and agile, roadrunners are one of the superheroes of the desert. Their cute crests, long pointed tails and penchant for running distinguishes them from so many other birds. They have secured their place among the lore of indigenous peoples, claimed the title of numerous business and even that of state bird. This bird just simply cannot be overlooked.
It may come as a surprise, but the Greater Roadrunner is part of the cuckoo family. Their scientific name is Geococcyx californianus which means "Californian earth cuckoo. They are also known as the chaparral bird, the ground cuckoo, and the snake killer...
Chapters:
Introduction 00:00
Taxonomy 00:29
Where are they found? 00:48
Similar Species: Lesser Roadrunner 01:06
Zygodactyl Feet 01:29
How do they get water in the desert? 02:11
Diet and Habitat 02:53
Torpor and Sunbathing 04:34
To fly or run? 05:07
Postorbital apteria and crest 06:01
Courtship 06:56
Nesting 07:40
Who does the roadrunner watch out for? 08:45
Conclusion 09:07
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Photos and videos from free use sites, name and site credited in video.
Canva.com
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Wikipedia Creative Commons License
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Thumbnail photo credit: Russ from Flickr.com
Credits not given in video:
Zygodactyl Feet 3-up:
-Green-winged macaw by Frank Wouter from Flickr.com
-Woodpecker by Danilo Bassani from Canva.com
-Cuckoo by Piotr Krzeslak from Canva.com
Desert Plants 3-up:
-Sagebrush by davelogan from Canva.com
-Cholla cactus by apollob66 from Canva.com
-Juniper tree by All Things Birdie
Protein Sources 6-up:
-Dragon fly by All Things Birdie
-Lizard by NickS from Canva.com
-Mouse by Kandelfire from Canva.com
-Bull snake by Midwestwilderness from Canva.com
-House sparrow by blueliner22 from Canva.com
-Sparrow eggs by emer1940 from Canva.com
Hummingbird video clip by Haures Ilie from Canva.com
"Bright colors..." illustration, roadrunner photo (on left) by Dominic Sherony from Wikipedia, background removed.
Nest Locations 3-up:
-Catclaw acacia by Stan Shebs from Wikipedia
-Teddybear cholla by mh99221 from Canva.com
-Joshua tree by Brian W. Schaller from Wikipedia
Predators 4-up:
-Cooper's Hawk by Zhixia Shi from Canva.com
-Raccoon by edbo23 from Pixabay.com
-Skunk by KenCanning from Canva.com
-Coyote by Harry Collins from Canva.com
Have you found an injured or orphaned bird or wildlife?
Do a quick search for a wildlife rehabilitation clinic in your area. They will tell you what to do. If you can't find one, contact a local veterinarian and see if they know who to contact. Do not attempt to rehabilitate a bird or animal on your own.

[@truegrit7288]

My parents live in the Mojave desert. They had many roadrunners that hung around their home. Mom would often feed them meal worms and eventually she had several that would show up regularly and tap their beaks against the sliding glass window when a snack was desired. Once when I was visiting my parents I walked into their house through the slider to get some worms out of the fridge leaving the slider open. I was surprised to see a roadrunner had followed me inside her house and run right up to the fridge! She was very animated while waiting for her tasty treat! I know she was a female because after her chicks were born she would stop by daily, bringing along her adorable little family for a little extra protein! . By far my favorite birds. Extremely intelligent and entertaining. . They also keep the rattlesnake population in check around my parents place.

[@josealbert4596]

these birds have serious problems whith coyotes

[@davidb6576]

The "and of course, coyotes" was snuck in so smoothly...

[@Trapper4265]

They are all over Albuquerque, NM, especially on the west Mesa. I loved seeing them. They are fascinating Birds of Prey.

[@skullhelmet1944]

They are all over the Vegas valley too coming from back east I was so excited to see my 1st one :D

[@jameshenderson3238]

An extremely informative video.....well done.

[@bigl6322]

Title made me think I was gonna see some facing off with some rattlesnakes, but it was interesting and informative.

[@user-ft3vm6ns6g]

I live in Phoenix Az. Have a family of 3 in my area. 1 of them sleeps in my garage every nite. I feed them dried meal worms. AWESOME BIRDS

[@iuutoob]

In the Mojave desert one day about 6 years ago, I was squatting on the ground, not doing much. Forearms were resting on knees. I looked up to see a roadrunner inspecting me from inches away, face to face. I figured that he could not attack (if somehow he had wanted to attack) with my hands being between us. I said, "Hello, Mr Roadrunner." He moved away.

[@coyotescactus1448]

How do you know it was a he?

[@MarkDeChambeau-lo1rt]

The neatest thing I ever saw was when a roadrunner ran across the road in front of me, bounded up the side of the ditch to my left, then to a rock, over a fence and up into a tree. Perhaps I am wrong but, I often wonder if this species is a good representation of how therapod dinosaurs got around.

[@jackvoss5841]

The only bird that says, “MEEP!! MEEP!!!” Courtesy of Half Vast Flying

[@mirrage42]

In the spring, the males call for females and to establish territory. They sound like an old fashioned clock winding down with repeated “cu-cu-cu” calls, starting loud and fast then dwindling in volume and speed. They usually do this standing on something high, like a fence post.

[@SFNightOwl]

I live east of Dallas. We have a family of lesser road runners living down our road. They're magic when we sight them sunning themselves in the morning. I swear they think they're t-rexes.

[@SOP83]

I see these daily at work. One was just standing 6' from me, eating a lizard, yesterday. One of my favorite birds, they are like a mini T Rex.

[@bert-qu3iq]

They are also major shareholders of ACME INDUSTRIES stock.

[@markseibert6369]

I lived in Carlsbad, CA and we had a RR who ran down the street, looking for lizards. That bird could run and glide up onto roofs without effort and he could cover a block long street in about 10 minutes. Fond memory.

[@annwaters9484]

I have at least one pair living on my property in southeastern AZ. They just hatched 3 chicks and it's fun watching them learning to fly.

[@michaelcerkez3895]

While driving tractor trailer across Arizona one ran in front of me. I was doing about 65 mph, that bird ran right in front of my truck and to the other side of the road. Man that thing was really moving.

[@Pack.Leader]

This was so well done. I've lived in Las Vegas, NV, Kingman, AZ and now southwest NM and roadrunners are scarce, though I know they are out there. I never knew about their stripe of color on their heads. Red, white and blue ! Maybe they should have been our national bird. (Shared.)

[@ericpierce3660]

They definitely look and act like mini-dinosaurs.

[@waqqodonkey]

seen a few here in El Paso, it's cool to see a ferocious little bird!

[@Gary-ce2hk]

My aunt fed hamburger balls to them. They would peck on sliding glass door for a treat. Also left quail alone. Cool birds

[@julieduree9210]

Mine won’t touch them,he likes mealy worms.

[@stephansteohanlarsen7457]

They eat baby Quail. Where do you get your facts Do you live in Tucson 😂 Arizona Sonoran desert 🌵 Ido!!!

[@stephansteohanlarsen7457]

Do you have road runner in your yard. I doubt it 😅

[@CountryB4Party]

They come through my yard hunting lizards all the time in Prescott AZ.

[@michaelswami]

Lived in Eastern Texas for 38 years. Saw my first Greater Roadrunner yesterday.

[@Cobbmtngirl]

I love them! Thanks for sharing. I was incredibly surprised to see one two times in my area in Northern California, Lake County.

[@guydauderman1645]

We have sever pairs on our ranch in the Texas Hill Country. The most amusing thing is to watch them prance on top of rock retaining walls with a skate it their mouth showing it off.

[@scottsatterthwaite4073]

We lived in a log cabin in an Ozark Glade in Southern Missouri and would see these interesting birds running around.

[@susantescione8007]

We saw them all the time in Texas. They don't seem to be intimidated by anything.

[@capturingnaturewithsandip]

Nice and beautiful video. Thanks for sharing. Big Like 24

[@jollyjohnthepirate3168]

I've seen roadrunners in East Texas.

[@CuriousMouseExploration]

Jy brother sees them around his home, though less since he's gotten a dog. I've seen them around that part of the county more than our area - me thinks they like the undeveloped area behind fences better. In Tucson, we'd hear rattling sounds when we were in our timeshare and the last day of our trip, we finally saw them running thru the decorative lava rock planters. We weren't sure who was making the sounds thru the rocks until then. Cool.

[@soundminedd]

Relaxing and informative ❤❤❤

[@robertrichard6107]

I've seen Chaparrals several times towards Death Valley, San Bernardino, even west Texas, Nevada, Arizona areas back in 20th Century.

[@stanwilliams1642]

See them In my aera of Texas sometimes.

[@Hey_zues420]

I do alot of driving in south Texas and see these running across the road everyday, I've never seen one dead from being run over, unlike buzzerds that'll stay in the road if there's roadkill in the road. Very smart bird and can also fly pretty fast for a bit

[@sonyascott6114]

A true birder.Suberb video.

[@dianestiner8602]

Another wonderfull video ! You teach so many things I am never tired of watching your footages 👌. So many birds we don't have here in 🇨🇭 😒

[@allthingsbirdie]

Thanks so much, Diane! I'm glad you're enjoying them!

[@Paul11B2P]

Beep beep !

[@michaelgautreaux3168]

Yes as far as seeing Roadrunners regularly. Most amazing thing was watching them run up a tree...multiple times lol. Yes the trunk was @ a 40 to 45 ° angle from the ground but the bird went up the tree! 😉 The "Wylie" jab was GR8!

[@bob7975]

Their two-toes forward two-toes back foot design is as good for climbing as it is for running. Some of the strongest climbers in the bird world have this kind of foot: owls, woodpeckers, and of course, parrots.

[@martinwalker9386]

I saw one as I drove from Zion National Park to Hurricane.

[@jerrycallender-qm7zr]

I'm in Tucson with water basins around my yard and frequently have Roadrunner(s) stopping by for a drink. Also have a Cooper's Hawk, many Desert Quail and scads of other bird species that are regular visitors.

[@chokkan7]

I've seen a few here in Arkansas; wish we had more.

[@fwobebe5164]

Road Runner, if he catches you you're through. 🎵

[@butchbinion1560]

Thanks. ✌🏻👊🏼

[@jessevan7652]

I've always loved birds ! 🐦 Amen 🙏

[@aBerlin1945]

Meep meep!

[@markeast1574]

Meep!Meep!

[@travisbicklejr]

Just recently discovered and subscribed to your channel. Your videos are great! Thanks so much!

[@allthingsbirdie]

Thank you! Very much appreciated.

[@mrwest5552]

i enjoyed this, including the dialog balloons.

[@gardenvape4021]

Good stuff! Thanks

[@topherbec7578]

Smart bird. Having dinner afterwards.

[@gerryroush8391]

Saw two last week running along railroad tracks in Alamogodo last month😊meep meep

[@brucepoole8552]

I saw one in Napa California

[@BANANA42k]

These guys are everywhere in southern oklahoma.

[@snorkeldorktheconqueror9580]

A pair of roadrunner will clean 10 acres of every rodant. That's a wonderful thing. Especially if they have young. In a couple weeks that pair will eat every rodant, every snake under 10 ft. Every lizard. I've seen them hang out at the bird feeder and try to catch hummingbirds. They are very smart.

[@brianpencall4882]

Mention of Juniper Trees, with a picture of a Bristlecone Pine. Hmmm.......

[@timf2279]

I have a nest in my backyard with seven eggs.

[@happyhome41]

Ratites have only three toes forward. Great video.

[@Ziptie247]

My biggest dream is to find a roadrunner feather been looking for a while.

[@greggillson388]

Another excellent video…. This must not be your first channel!

[@EyeSeeThruYou]

Maybe if we're really lucky, they can continue expanding eastward all the way to Florida. We have lots of non-native reptiles they would enjoy eating. And, well, coyote is already here, so they could...you know...resume their business antics here, too! 😅😊 Keep cats indoors, they have no place anywhere else!

[@hachommohamed7009]

THANK.S

[@jeanneh9742]

I have been running my dogs on the Rio Grande River levee near Las Cruces NM for 25 years. I haven’t seen jack rabbits in several years but I still see roadrunners and lynx. Maybe there’s hope. (FYI from greyhounds to Rhodesian Ridgebacks to Miniature Pinschers and Chihuahuas the dogs never catch anything.)

[@jdobbs7700]

I lived outside of Cheyenne Wyoming 1999-2020 and saw many Jackrabbits. Moved back to Texas where I grew up in the 1950s and '60s and haven't seen a single Jackrabbit. Fyi...

[@suwisalperera9796]

Our neighborhood road runner pair keeps us safe from rattlesnakes.

[@sjain8111]

interesting: the same venom that would kill the bird if bitten is harmless when ingested. I believe peacocks also hunt snakes (for food or security)?

[@donkboys]

At 8:32 the moderator mentions infanticide and another term I can’t decipher. What is that other term?

[@allthingsbirdie]

Siblicide

[@jdobbs7700]

Excellent! I thought I heard "suicide" and I was contemplating just how that could be accomplished by a Chaparral and had landed on standing motionless in a highway.... thanks for the clarification! Meep-Meep.

[@mmarvininc]

When roadrunner babies are separated from there parents they give out a call that sounds just like a whining puppy

[@gregwasserman2635]

Fun fact - Coyotes can run twice as fast as a roadrunner!

[@rmcq1999]

The honey badger of the bird world?

[@jimskinnermusicetc.811]

Gained its place among the lower indigenous people? Well, maybe among the cuckoo’s it has. And we have certainly a lot of them among the people.

[@brajeshsingh2391]

Well the North America may not be very popular for animal life diversity. the only 2 animals known are bear and American bison. There are still these not so popular animals like these which as it seems only native to North America.

[@MgtowFreightTrain]

They go after baby bunny rabbits too...

[@troygaspard6732]

Many birds are snake killers, but not like Road Runners.

[@aaax9410]

roadrunner thousand miles an hour radio on beep beep

[@johnfrancis4809]

Can't hear you

[@kingdomskobolds8267]

Roadrunners are the closest thing to a modern Velociraptor, aside from the hook talon, of any modern bird I've seen in terms of their behavior and mannerisms by comparison to what is depicted in movies. Maybe the filmmakers used these birds as a point of reference for behavior, I'll have to look it up

[@gregwasserman2635]

Um...no. Fun fact - Jurassic Park is not a documentary.

[@justayoutuber1906]

These are mini-dinosaurs. Imagine one 8 feet tall

[@markuse3472]

No such thing: birds have always been birds. I can imagine them being eight feet tall in fantasy movies.

[@CountryB4Party]

@@markuse3472There is a lot of evidence that birds are descended from theropod dinosaurs.

[@eewilson9835]

Hummingbirds for snacks? How rude.

[@roygramlich1862]

My mom lives in Albuquerque and one surprisin😮 fact, they have a pension for rotten meat, they love it! it almost seems the more rotten the better!

[@jeanneh9742]

Rotten means partially digested

[@onebridge7231]

Dinosaur! 🧐

[@Salazarsbizzar]

I grew up in New Mexico and I have only seen one. Pretty rare

[@coyotescactus1448]

They are all over the place. Not rare at all.

[@user-xi6ke4nb7c]

not a single video or anything where they are actually catching something. Time I will never get back.

[@californigirl]

That it is pRt of the cuckoo famiky does not surprise me at all.

[@user-mp4yb4wh8i]

They will eat hummingbirds...😢

[@jamesburke6078]

According to paleontologists rex was a roadrunner! So much for college educated people.... dumbest thing I ever heard!

[@sewingintrifocals-alisonde7778]

Maybe T Rex was a VERY BIG roadrunner? 😁

[@gregwasserman2635]

So being uneducated is a good thing. Got it! Fill us all in on more of you paleontological insights.

[@stankell3629]

kalla-for-nee-an-sus

[@mflinch6061]

Meep meep!

[@jdobbs7700]

I'm 71 years old now and Wile E. and the Roadrunner is still my favorite cartoon.