Roadrunner

This article is about the bird. For other uses, see Roadrunner (disambiguation).

Roadrunner
Greater roadrunner
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Cuculiformes
Family: Cuculidae
Subfamily: Neomorphinae
Genus: Geococcyx
Wagler, 1831
Type species
Geococcyx variegata[1]
Wagler, 1831
Species

G. californianus
G. velox

The roadrunners (genus Geococcyx), also known as chaparral birds or chaparral cocks, are two species of fast-running ground cuckoos with long tails and crests. They are found in the southwestern and south-central United States, Mexico and Central America,[2][3] usually in the desert. Although capable of flight, roadrunners generally run away from predators. On the ground, some have been measured at 32 km/h (20 mph).

  1. ^ "Cuculidae". aviansystematics.org. The Trust for Avian Systematics. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  2. ^ "roadrunner". The Free Dictionary. Farlex. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  3. ^ "roadrunner". Merriam Webster. Retrieved 3 May 2012.