BeakBrain
Menu
Bird GuideDaily BirdCamsTripsCommunityGet the app

Lesser Roadrunner

Geococcyx velox

Least Concern · IUCN Red List

LCLeast ConcernInvertebratesShrublandPlatform nestMedium · 180 g
Lesser Roadrunner (Geococcyx velox), photo 1
Photo: Chao Shi · CC0
Lesser Roadrunner (Geococcyx velox), photo 2
Photo: datadan · CC BY 4.0
Lesser Roadrunner (Geococcyx velox), photo 3
Photo: datadan · CC BY 4.0
Lesser Roadrunner (Geococcyx velox), photo 4
Photo: Alfonso Xavier Rolon Perez · CC BY 4.0
Lesser Roadrunner (Geococcyx velox), photo 5
Photo: Alfonso Xavier Rolon Perez · CC BY 4.0
Lesser Roadrunner (Geococcyx velox), photo 6
Photo: Carlos Martínez · CC BY 4.0
Lesser Roadrunner (Geococcyx velox), photo 7
Photo: Daniel Pineda Vera · CC BY 4.0
Lesser Roadrunner (Geococcyx velox), photo 8
Photo: Daniel Pineda Vera · CC BY 4.0
Lesser Roadrunner (Geococcyx velox), photo 9
Photo: Sinaloa Silvestre · CC0
Lesser Roadrunner (Geococcyx velox), photo 10
Photo: unknown · CC BY 4.0

ID tip

The 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). Its average length is 46 cm (18 in). The male weighs 174–207 grams (6.1–7.3 oz), while the female weighs 162–192 grams (5.7–6.8 oz). The crown, crest and neck of the lesser roadrunner are black with a bronze glow and small light brown spots. The back neck is black-brown, with feathers are lined with a pale brown, so that a brown-white dashes arises.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When to see the Lesser Roadrunner

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

Where to see the Lesser Roadrunner

Regular rangeRare visitor

The map shades 5 countries with regular records, and 1 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.

Mexico Honduras Guatemala Nicaragua El Salvador

Recorded as a rare visitor in United States.

About the Lesser Roadrunner

The lesser roadrunner is a large, long-legged bird that is a member of the cuckoo family, Cuculidae. It is found in Mesoamerica. Its Latin name means "swift earth-cuckoo". Along with the greater roadrunner, it is one of two species in the genus Geococcyx.

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

Easily confused with

Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) Greater RoadrunnerGeococcyx californianusThe 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).

Side by side: Greater Roadrunner vs Lesser Roadrunner · Lesser Roadrunner vs Sirkeer Malkoha

Learn the Lesser Roadrunner in the BeakBrain App

Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.

Play today's Daily Bird

Every photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.