Roadrunner (Greater)

The Greater Roadrunner is a signature bird of the desert southwest and can reach running speeds of 30 km/hr (18.6 mi/hr).

 

During the 20th century, its range expanded all the way to southern Missouri and western Louisiana. A ground-dwelling cuckoo, it feeds on snakes, scorpions, and any other small animal it can catch and subdue. Two birds may cooperate to kill a large snake.

The desert-dwelling roadrunner uses salt glands in front of its eyes to excrete excess salt from its blood. Such glands are common in ocean-going birds that can drink seawater. The roadrunner is able to get along without drinking water if it eats food with high enough water content, but it will drink readily if water is available.

Photographed in the wild, Phoenix, AZ