The Greater Roadrunner, taxonomically classified as Geococcyx californianus
The Greater Roadrunner, taxonomically classified as Geococcyx californianus, meaning "Californian Earth-cuckoo," is a long-legged bird in the cuckoo family, Cuculidae. It is one of the two roadrunner species in the genus Geococcyx; the other is the Lesser Roadrunner. This roadrunner is also known as the chaparral cock, ground cuckoo, and snake killer. The roadrunner is about 56 centimetres (22 in) long and weighs about 300 grams ( oz), and is the largest North American cuckoo. The adult has a bushy crest and long thick dark bill. It has a long dark tail, a dark head and back, and is blue on the front of the neck and on the belly. Roadrunners have four toes on each zygodactyl foot; two face forward, and two face backward. The name roadrunner comes from the bird's habit of racing down roads in front of moving vehicles and then darting to safety in the brush.
Size: 4519px × 3228px
Location: Arizona
Photo credit: © Richard Higgins / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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