RoadrunnersRoadrunners

By: Christine PamfiloBy: Christine Pamfilo

Roadrunners are:Roadrunners are:

A large bird growing to a length of 22-24 A large bird growing to a length of 22-24 inches.inches.

Its height is 10-12”Its height is 10-12” Weight around 8-24 oz.Weight around 8-24 oz. Has brown and white feathers.Has brown and white feathers. Has a life span of 7-8 years.Has a life span of 7-8 years.

Pictures of RoadrunnersPictures of Roadrunners

This bird belongs to a cuckoo family, This bird belongs to a cuckoo family, Cuculidae.Cuculidae.

Their Ground CuckoosTheir Ground Cuckoos Also known as the Chaparral Cock.Also known as the Chaparral Cock. State bird of New Mexico.State bird of New Mexico.

This bird got its name because it This bird got its name because it rarely flies.rarely flies.

They cant keep its body up in They cant keep its body up in the air for a long time they the air for a long time they

prefer to walk or run. They can prefer to walk or run. They can run up to 17 miles per hour.run up to 17 miles per hour.Its famous for its distinctive Its famous for its distinctive

appearance and its ability to eat appearance and its ability to eat rattlesnakes.rattlesnakes.

Food and HuntingFood and Hunting

They feed on insects, lizards, scorpions, They feed on insects, lizards, scorpions, rodents, snakes and other birds.rodents, snakes and other birds.

10% of its winter diet is on plants because 10% of its winter diet is on plants because there are barely any animals at the time of the there are barely any animals at the time of the year.year.

They usually eat their food whole.They usually eat their food whole.

BreedingBreeding

Males dance around the females while they Males dance around the females while they beg for food. The males later gives the food beg for food. The males later gives the food after breeding briefly.after breeding briefly.

Both parents collect the sticks for their nest but Both parents collect the sticks for their nest but the females construct them in a bush, cactus or the females construct them in a bush, cactus or small tree.small tree.

Female lays from about 2-12 eggs.Female lays from about 2-12 eggs.

Breeding continuationBreeding continuation

Incubation is from 18-20 days, its done by Incubation is from 18-20 days, its done by both parents, but its better if the males did it both parents, but its better if the males did it because they maintain body temperature.because they maintain body temperature.

Only 3 or 4 young usually survives and stays Only 3 or 4 young usually survives and stays with their parents for 2 weeks after they have with their parents for 2 weeks after they have hatched. Then they would start going through hatched. Then they would start going through the deserts.the deserts.

Roadrunners do have dangers in their life.Roadrunners do have dangers in their life. They are preyed on hawks, house cats, They are preyed on hawks, house cats,

raccoons, rat snakes, bullsnakes, skunks and raccoons, rat snakes, bullsnakes, skunks and coyotes. coyotes.

Roadrunners are great types of Roadrunners are great types of species. They are a special kind species. They are a special kind of bird. We probably know this of bird. We probably know this

kind of bird because of the kind of bird because of the cartoon itself. As we know they cartoon itself. As we know they are fast runners. Its habitat is are fast runners. Its habitat is

mainly in the desert. mainly in the desert.

ReferencesReferences

The encyclopediaThe encyclopedia www.desertusa.comwww.desertusa.com www.fotosearch.comwww.fotosearch.com