35 Fun Facts About Roadrunners (with Photos & Details)

In this article, we will discuss some of the most fascinating facts about the roadrunner. We’ll cover everything from their mating habits to their diet and much more!

The Two Types of Roadrunners

Greater Roadrunner

The Greater Roadrunner is an easy bird to identify, with its light brown and white patterning throughout the upper body and breast with a plain white belly. It has a large crest that is streaked brown and white. The wings are also patterned brown with white, and it has a very long tail.​​​​​​​ They also have a long dark gray beak that has a hooked tip.​​​​​​​

• Length: 20.5-21.3 in (52-54 cm)
• Weight: 7.8-19.0 oz (221-538 g)
• Wingspan: 19.3 in (49 cm)
• Range: Central and southern Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, up to Oklahoma.
• Habitat: Deserts, scrublands, chaparral areas, grasslands and farmlands​​​​​​​.
• Diet: Crickets, spiders, mice, rabbits, snakes, lizards, berries, prickly pear cactus fruit​​​​​​​.
• Lifespan: 8 years
• Population: 1.1 Million (Least Concern)
• Speed: 26 mph (42 km)
• Scientific Name: Geococcyx californianus
• Family: Cuculidae
• Genus: Geococcyx

Lesser Roadrunner

The Lesser Roadrunner has a dark brown almost black and white patterning throughout the upper body and breast with a plain white belly. It has a large crest that is streaked brown and white. It has a small white patch around the eye The wings are also patterned brown with white, and it has a very long tail.​​​​​​​ They also have a long dark gray beak that has a hooked tip.​​​​​​​

• Length: 18.1-20.1 in (46-51 cm)
• Weight: 6.1-7.3 oz (174–207 grams)
• Wingspan: 18.0 in (45.7 cm)
• Range: Southwestern United States, Mexico, northern Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosí.​​​​​​​
• Habitat: Plains, desert scrubland, agricultural land or grasslands​​​​​​​.
• Diet: Snakes, lizards, eggs, rodents, fruit, berries, plant material​​​​​​​.
• Lifespan: 8 years
• Population: 500,000-4,999,999 (Least Concern)
• Speed: 20 mph (32 km)
• Scientific Name: Geococcyx velox
• Family: Cuculidae
• Genus: Geococcyx

Fun Facts About Roadrunners

The Roadrunner Can Reach Speeds Up to 25 Miles Per Hour.

The average adult male can reach speeds up to 25 miles per hour (40 kilometers per hour). It typically uses its speed to catch prey, such as small mammals and lizards. ​​​​​​​

The Roadrunner Is a Type of Ground Cuckoo.

The Roadrunner is a type of ground cuckoo that can be found throughout most of the Southwestern United States, Mexico, Central America, Western Texas and into Northern parts of Guatemala. This bird is mainly recognized by its characteristic calls, which sound like “Beep-beep” or “Whoop-whoop.”

There Are Only 2 Species of Roadrunner.

There are only 2 species of roadrunner, the Greater and Lesser. The Greater is found in the southwestern United States and Mexico, while the Lesser is only found in northern Mexico.

The Roadrunner has a Long Lifespan.

The average lifespan of a roadrunner is about 8 years in the wild, but up to 16 years in captivity. The major factor that affects the longevity of this bird species is habitat loss and fragmentation. As human development continues to expand into wildlife habitats, many populations are dwindling or becoming extinct altogether.

Roadrunners have a Complex Diet.

Roadrunners are North American birds that have a diet consisting of insects, rodents, snakes, lizards and birds’ eggs as well as plants such as agave flowers or yucca fruits. The most common prey items are grasshoppers (over 90% of the diet), followed by beetles, scorpions and other insects.  They can also be seen eating berries from bushes such as mulberry trees. 

Roadrunners Are Found in Deserts…

The Roadrunners preferred habitats include deserts, grasslands, chaparral scrubland, and forests from sea level to around 6000 feet. They are usually found in places with a mix of open areas and brushy cover for nesting and hiding.​​​​​​​

Roadrunners Nest on the Ground.

They usually build their nests on or near the ground and lay two to six eggs per clutch. Roadrunners typically nest during the late spring and early summer months, but may also nest at other times of year.​​​​​​​

Roadrunners Are Monogamous and Mate for Life.

The male attracts the female by performing a ritualized display of head bobbing, and vocalizing its distinctive call. The female approaches the male and the two birds touch beaks in a courtship dance before mating.

In order to form pairs, males often search around a nesting area for several days before they find females that are ready to mate. Once paired up with their partner, they may stay together until one of them dies or the other leaves the area.

Roadrunners have Zygodactyl Feet.

Roadrunners have Zygodactyl feet, which means they have two toes pointing forwards, and two toes pointing backwards. This is an adaptation to running quickly over rough terrain.

Roadrunners have Elaborate Courtship Displays

The roadrunner is a large bird that has an elaborate courtship display. Males will puff up their feathers and then put on a dance show, while females will often watch from the ground nearby. Male roadrunners also have what’s called a “wing flutter,” where they spread their wings out and rapidly flap them together in order to make sounds with their wing feathers.​​​​​​​  

They will strut around with their wings outstretched while making high-pitched chirping sounds, showing off his colorful plumage to impress potential mates as he tries to court them with his elaborate display ​​​​​​​that can go on for​​​​​​​ several hours.

Roadrunners Can Only Fly Short Distances.

Roadrunners are the only terrestrial bird in North America. In contrast to other birds, roadrunners can only fly short distances and cannot sustain flight for long periods of time. They are not considered migratory because they will stay in one area during the winter months if food is available there.

They Lower Their Body Temperature to Survive Cold Nights

Roadrunners are primarily diurnal animals, meaning they’re active during the day. Roadrunners often use sunspots on roads to keep warm when it’s cold outside, but how do they survive cold nights?

A recent study found that roadrunners reduce their body temperature by 10 degrees Fahrenheit (5.6 degrees Celsius) during nighttime hours in order to survive the night-time desert temperatures. They accomplish this by reducing heat production and increasing blood flow near their skin surface so that they can lose heat by radiation, convection and conduction.

Frequently Asked Questions