How fast do roadrunners

According to the IUCN, roadrunners are not at risk. These friendly birds are best known from their depiction in cartoons, but actual roadrunners are far more interesting than their fictional counterparts. From their morning sunbathing routine to their impressive running speed, discover some revealing facts about the curious roadrunner. The land speed of a roadrunner is typically around 15 miles per hour, though the bird can move even faster for short bursts.

Roadrunners are typically found ambling along looking for prey, but when they spot a fast-moving lizard or insect, they sprint into action. Two species of roadrunners exist: the greater roadrunner and the lesser roadrunner. The larger of the two, the greater roadrunner, is about two feet long with black, brown, and white speckled feathers, and a shaggy crest. The lesser roadrunner is slightly smaller and has lighter tan coloring. Both species have long tail feathers that provide balance.

Greater roadrunners are found throughout the southwestern U. On those occasions when they need to escape a predator, reach a branch, or catch a flying insect, roadrunners will fly for short distances, usually only lasting for a few seconds.

Roadrunners are omnivores that eat just about anything they find on the ground — including rattlesnakes and venomous prey. Their primary diet includes scorpions, frogs, reptiles, small mammals, birds, and eggs, but if a pair of roadrunners wants to eat a rattlesnake, they team up and peck its head until they kill it.

These desert birds are so well adapted to their environment that they are able to survive on the fluids they obtain from their diet.

Roadrunners absorb the water found in their prey through their efficient digestive systems. To stay hydrated, they rid themselves of the excess salt found in their protein-rich diet through active salt glands located near their eyes, while conserving the essential water. Like other cuckoos, roadrunners are slender birds with rounded wings and graduated tail feathers.

Roadrunners are charismatic birds, and being fleet of foot might just make them feel confident about exploring whatever they're curious about — including people. Humans are just as interested in roadrunners as they are in us, and when one approaches on foot and cocks its head, it's a sight to see.

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