Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: Calpernia
Good morning...oh, I see it is afternoon in your neighborhood.

That roadrunner is a funny looking bird, looks like the poor thing could use a good meal. It has a distinctive call too, almost jungle-like.

60 posted on 10/03/2003 10:03:07 AM PDT by Mama_Bear ( Lori)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies ]


To: Mama_Bear

Click!

The Roadrunner or Ground Cuckoo, Geococcyx californianus, is a bird that lives in thorny scrub, sparse grasslands, and deserts of Mexico and the southwestern USA. The Roadrunner can run at speeds of up to 15 miles per hour (24 km per hour). It rarely flies and does not migrate. When it is in danger, it runs or crouches to hide.

Anatomy: The Roadrunner is about 23 inches (58 cm) long. It has a shaggy crest on its head. The tail is long and narrow; it helps the Roadrunner with balance and lets it turn quickly when running. The wings are short and rarely used; the legs are long and make this bird a fast runner. Males and females are similar in appearance. Roadrunners make rattling and cooing calls.

Diet: Roadrunner eat fruit and small animals, including small lizards, scorpions, spiders, insects, eggs, small snakes, and some small rodents.

Reproduction: The Roadrunner is a type of cuckoo, but unlike many other cuckoos, it is not a nest parasite. It builds its cup-like nest in a thorn bush or a cactus. The female lays 3 to 8 white eggs.

62 posted on 10/03/2003 10:17:11 AM PDT by Calpernia (Innocence seldom utters outraged shrieks. Guilt does.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson