Greater Roadrunner

About the Greater Roadrunner
Also known as: Chaparral Cock
Greater Roadrunner

The Greater Roadrunner is a long-legged bird and the largest North American cuckoo. It has a bushy crest and a long dark tail. Its breeding habitat is desert and shrubby country in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Although capable of flight, it spends most of its time on the ground where it can run at speeds of 20 miles per hour!

The Greater Roadrunner is the state bird of New Mexico and is well known as the basis for the character in the Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner cartoons.

Find cute products & gifts with our Birdorable Greater Roadrunner

Details & Statistics

International Names

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T-Shirt Tuesday: New Mexico State Birdorable

This week's featured design is our New Mexico State Birdorable, shown here on a long sleeve raglan. The state bird of New Mexico is the Greater Roadrunner. The Roadrunner became the state bird of New Mexico in 1949. Check out our other State Birdorables.  Read more »

Birdorable 188: Greater Roadrunner

Today's addition in our Birdorable Bonanza is the Greater Roadrunner, a long-legged bird and the largest North American cuckoo. Its breeding habitat is desert and shrubby country in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Although...  Read more »