Identification
Geococcyx californianus (greater roadrunner)
Permissions for Use
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Caption
Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) is one of the most fascinating birds in the Southwestern US. Members of the Cuckoo order, they're beautiful in their own way, very intelligent (by human standards), and have endearing habits and courtship rituals. They are also excellent parents, meticulously teaching their young the ways of the chapparal . They eat lizards and snakes, insects, bird's eggs and occasional rodents. A male Roadrunner can often be seen in the Spring carrying a lizard as a love offering to his intended! They make three distinct sounds, one is a bill clatter, or rattle, which you'll hear first in this sample. The second sound is usually heard during the breeding season (although I caught this one in October!), and is a cooing sound, very much like a dove's.
Contributors
Douglas Von Gausig (recordist; copyright holder), Naturesongs.com, P.O. Box 490, Clarkdale, AZ 86324
