Greater Roadrunner Takes on rattlesnake and wins.
Don't worry about the bite on his leg. They have
natural antibodies to rattlesnake venom.
Oft thought as a bird solely of great speed that can outrun a human, the Greater Roadrunner is much more than what meets the eye. A solitary bird unless it is breeding season, this southwestern resident
is a cuckoo with a Latin moniker that translates to California earth cuckoo. Not only do they reside under some of the worst conditions in flatlands, they are also found up to ten thousand feet above sea level. They can be found in riparian areas, grasslands, parks, cemeteries, and woodland stands to loblolly pine and juniper landscapes.
Able to thrive in some of the harshest desert conditions, not only is this bird born to run, they are also formidable hunters that take their job vey seriously, and are very good at it. These meat eaters will take songbirds from back yards, peck rattlesnakes to death, and body slam rodents and lizards, so they might easily slide down their throats. They will also dine upon scorpions, bats, spiders, and other protein sources.
Greater Roadrunner
Payne County Oklahoma Christmas Bird Count 2014
Avid sunbathers, they will warm themselves after a chilly desert night, then wing-flash in order to obtain a meal by startling it with the white patches on the wings. They can be found perching on rocks or fence posts surveying their territory, and will erect their crests to protect their territory from usurping forces.
The biggest threats to their well being are the usual habitat loss, domestic animals, human
conveyance and feral animals.
Known as the ground cuckoo, chaparral cock, medicine bird, paisano, snake killer, and others, this unusual bird will stick in your mind long after it is gone from the immediate area. Breeding plumage includes a smart red and blue skin patch behind the eye.
Greater Roadrunner in breeding plumage
entry road to Laguna Atascosa, TX
Strong runners that can travel at up to twenty miles per hour, they are weak in flight, but can actually fly a short distance other than a general gliding movement. Their long term movement is to the north and east parts of the country, and their populations are stable.
https://www.bird-sounds.net/greater-roadrunner
courtesy Richard E. Webster/Dominic Sherony
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