2. Roadrunners are:
A large bird growing to a length of 22-24
inches.
Its height is 10-12”
Weight around 8-24 oz.
Has brown and white feathers.
Has a life span of 7-8 years.
4. This bird belongs to a cuckoo family,
Cuculidae.
Their Ground Cuckoos
Also known as the Chaparral Cock.
State bird of New Mexico.
5. This bird got its name because it
rarely flies.
They cant keep its body up in
the air for a long time they
prefer to walk or run. They can
run up to 17 miles per hour.
Its famous for its distinctive
appearance and its ability to eat
rattlesnakes.
6. Food and Hunting
They feed on insects, lizards, scorpions,
rodents, snakes and other birds.
10% of its winter diet is on plants because
there are barely any animals at the time of the
year.
They usually eat their food whole.
7. Breeding
Males dance around the females while they
beg for food. The males later gives the food
after breeding briefly.
Both parents collect the sticks for their nest but
the females construct them in a bush, cactus or
small tree.
Female lays from about 2-12 eggs.
8. Breeding continuation
Incubation is from 18-20 days, its done by
both parents, but its better if the males did it
because they maintain body temperature.
Only 3 or 4 young usually survives and stays
with their parents for 2 weeks after they have
hatched. Then they would start going through
the deserts.
9. Roadrunners do have dangers in their life.
They are preyed on hawks, house cats,
raccoons, rat snakes, bullsnakes, skunks and
coyotes.
10. Roadrunners are great types of
species. They are a special kind
of bird. We probably know this
kind of bird because of the
cartoon itself. As we know they
are fast runners. Its habitat is
mainly in the desert.
11. References
The encyclopedia
www.desertusa.com
www.fotosearch.com