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Geococcyx californianus
Sorry for the blurry pic but we were driving 75 MPH and this bird just jumped out of a tree along the freeway. It's my first Roadrunner so I just had to post it :) "The roadrunner is about 52–62 cm (20–24 in) long, has a 43–61 cm (17–24 in) wingspan and weighs 221–538 g (7.8–19.0 oz). It stands around 25–30 cm (9.8–12 in) tall and is the largest North American cuckoo.The adult has a bushy crest and long thick dark bill. It has a long dark tail, a dark head and back, and is blue on the front of the neck and on the belly. Roadrunners have four toes on each zygodactyl foot; two face forward, and two face backward." - Wikipedia
Along Interstate 5 in dry, grassy area surrounded by various crop fields. I didn't notice what type of tree it jumped out of.
The scientific name means "Californian Earth-cuckoo". Aka "chaparral cock, ground cuckoo, and snake killer. The name roadrunner comes from the bird's habit of racing down roads in front of moving vehicles and then darting to safety in the brush." - Wikipedia
Spotted on Aug 17, 2012
Submitted on Aug 23, 2012
2 Comments
:) This was my first spotting of one and it was just like the cartoons!
My Gosh! is really a road runner. He is really running as in the cartoons! :-)