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Greater Roadrunner

Geococcyx californianus

Least Concern · IUCN Red List

LCLeast ConcernOmnivoreShrublandPlatform nestLarge · 376 g
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus), photo 1
Photo: Gordon Leggett · CC BY 4.0
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus), photo 2
Photo: James M. Maley · CC BY 4.0
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus), photo 3
Photo: Gordon Leggett · CC BY 4.0
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus), photo 4
Photo: k7hpn · CC BY 4.0
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus), photo 5
Photo: k7hpn · CC BY 4.0
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus), photo 6
Photo: CH Hemphill · CC BY 4.0
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus), photo 7
Photo: Gordon Leggett · CC BY 4.0
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus), photo 8
Photo: James M. Maley · CC BY 4.0
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus), photo 9
Photo: Gordon Leggett · CC BY 4.0
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus), photo 10
Photo: Henry · CC BY 2.0

ID tip

The greater roadrunner is about 52–62 cm (20–24 in) long, has a 43–61 cm (17–24 in) wingspan, and weighs 221–538 g (7.8–19.0 oz). It stands around 25–30 cm (9+3⁄4–11+3⁄4 in) tall and is the largest cuckoo of the Americas. The upper body is mostly brown with black streaks and sometimes pink spots. The neck and upper breast are white or pale brown with dark brown streaks, and the belly is white. Voice: The vocalizations of the greater roadrunner have seven distinct variants. The most frequent call is a slow and descending sequence of about six low, "cooing" noises, emitted by the male and which is heard at 820 ft (250 m). This call is usually made early in the morning, from a high perch such as a fence post, dead tree, or cactus.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When to see the Greater Roadrunner

One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is April, the month with the most records.

Where to see the Greater Roadrunner

Regular range

The map shades 2 countries with regular records. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.

United States Mexico

About the Greater Roadrunner

The greater roadrunner is a long-legged bird in the cuckoo family, Cuculidae, from the Aridoamerica region in the Southwestern United States and Mexico. The scientific name means "Californian earth-cuckoo". Along with the lesser roadrunner, it is one of two species in the genus Geococcyx. This roadrunner is also known as the chaparral cock, ground cuckoo, and snake killer.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Easily confused with

Lesser Roadrunner (Geococcyx velox) Lesser RoadrunnerGeococcyx veloxThe lesser roadrunner is a slender bird that reaches a length of 46 to 51 cm (18 in), the tail itself accounting for about 24 cm (9.4 in).

Side by side: Greater Roadrunner vs Lesser Roadrunner

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