Description
An adult male Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) runs off quickly after catching a small snake at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Taking this photograph was tricky since the roadrunner was running fast and there were only a few “windows” through the vegetation to see him. When I got home and saw this image I was pleased that I was lucky enough to catch him in mid-air stride.
The Greater Roadrunner is a member of the cuckoo family. It has collected many colorful names over the years { Chaparral Cock, Medicine Bird, Paisano, and Medicine Bird).
Roadrunners are bad-ass. I have watched one almost kill a Cooper’s Hawk that tried to attack the roadrunner. Roadrunners prey on snakes, lizards, birds, insects, and rodents.
While I watched this skillful snake hunter run off with his prize it seemed like the Roadrunner was happy and proud — almost showing off to me!
