Cuckoos (Cuculidae)
Greater Roadrunner
Geococcyx californianus. Lizards, snakes, insects, rodents and small birds.
Cuckoos (Cuculidae)Greater RoadrunnerGeococcyx californianus
- Scientific name
- Geococcyx californianus
- Length
- 20.5–21.3 in
- Weight
- 7.8–19 oz
- Nest
- Stick platform in a cactus, thicket or low tree
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 2–6 eggs
- Incubation
- 19–20 days
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
Identification
- Long-legged, streaked brown ground cuckoo
- Shaggy crest and long white-tipped tail
- Bare blue-and-orange skin behind the eye
Voice
A descending series of low coos; also a bill clatter.
Diet and feeding
Lizards, snakes, insects, rodents and small birds.
Greater Roadrunners by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Year-round resident | February–August |
| Arkansas | Year-round resident | March–August |
| California | Year-round resident | February–August |
| Colorado | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Kansas | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Louisiana | Year-round resident | February–August |
| Missouri | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Nevada | Year-round resident | March–August |
| New Mexico | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Oklahoma | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Texas | Year-round resident | February–August |
| Utah | Year-round resident | March–August |
Frequently asked
What do roadrunners eat?
Lizards, snakes, insects, rodents and small birds. At feeders: none — never feed meat; it hunts live prey.
How big is a Greater Roadrunner?
20.5–21.3 in long and 7.8–19 oz.
Do roadrunners use birdhouses?
No. Stick platform in a cactus, thicket or low tree.
Sources
- Greater Roadrunner — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Greater Roadrunner life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Greater Roadrunner — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.