Greater Roadrunner

Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) is in the Cuckoos family (Cuculidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 38,005 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph Greater Roadrunner: observations by month (U.S.)

About Greater Roadrunner

The greater roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) is a long-legged bird in the cuckoo family, Cuculidae, from Southwestern United States and Mexico. The Latin name means "Californian earth-cuckoo". Along with the lesser roadrunner, it is one of two species in the roadrunner genus Geococcyx. This roadrunner is also known as the chaparral cock, ground cuckoo, and snake killer.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Greater Roadrunner by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (Cuckoos)

Yellow-billed CuckooCoccyzus americanus

Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmus

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ