The greater roadrunner is a long-legged, streaked bird of the deserts of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Fast, bold and adaptable, it is a symbol of the American Southwest.
Interesting facts
- The roadrunner belongs to the cuckoo family.
- It can fly, but prefers to run.
- On cold mornings, it raises its feathers to expose dark skin on its back to the sun to warm up.
- It saves water by reabsorbing moisture from its droppings.
- It is the state bird of New Mexico.
- Its real call is a series of cooing notes, not the cartoon ‘meep meep’.
Behaviour
Roadrunners hunt on foot, running down prey or ambushing it. They live in pairs that defend territories year-round.
Breeding and young
Pairs build nests in cacti or shrubs and lay three to six eggs. Both parents incubate and feed the chicks.
Threats and conservation
The species is common, although it declines locally with habitat loss.
Where to see it
- Big Bend National Park, Texas
- Saguaro National Park and the Sonoran Desert, Arizona
- Death Valley National Park, California
- White Sands National Park, New Mexico
Status source: IUCN Red List. Profile last reviewed September 2026.
