Habitat of the Roadrunner Bird
The greater roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) is a medium-sized, ground-dwelling, non-migratory bird with tawny coloration and distinctive long legs that allow it to cover terrain quickly. These features make the roadrunner especially adept at surviving in its desert habitat, where trees are relatively scarce. Roadrunners get their name from their quick gait; when running, these birds can reach speeds of 17 miles per hour.
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Geography
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The roadrunner can be found in the Mojave, Sonora, Great Basin and Chihuahua deserts. Their geographic range spans from southern California in the west to Kansas in the east and southern Mexico in the south. Roadrunners are occasionally found in parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.
Features
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Roadrunners require different types of habitat for different activities. Generally speaking, they prefer flat and arid desert or grassland terrain with scattered brush for cover. Roadrunners will forage for food in open, grassy areas and among desert scrub land. When nesting, roadrunners can be found in areas of dense chaparral.
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Climate
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The habitat of the greater roadrunner lies almost entirely within the dry tropical climate zone, also referred to as a desert biome. This type of desert habitat is characterized by very little rainfall, which is quickly evaporated, and hot daytime temperatures. To compensate for this often harsh climate, roadrunners require very little water and have the ability to regulate their own body temperature.
Niche
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Roadrunners fulfill a vital niche within their habitats, acting both as an important predator and as a food source for other animals. Animals such as large insects, spiders, scorpions, mice, lizards, quail and hummingbirds make up 90 percent of their diet--plants make up the rest. Roadrunners and their eggs serve as prey for coyotes, hawks, skunks, large snakes and raccoons. Household pets and feral cats can also act as predators of roadrunners.
Considerations
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Human encroachment into former roadrunner territory and habitat loss in general are a threat to populations of roadrunners. New construction and development, as well as the building of new roads, fragmented the habitat of the greater roadrunner and restricted the birds' access to nesting sites. California Partners in Flight report a negative population trend in California for the years between 1966 and 1999. Areas heavily used by people tend to have lower population densities of roadrunners.
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References
- Photo Credit roadrunner on the move image by Wendi Evans from Fotolia.com
