According to Bird Life International (2008), 
“The Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) is a long-legged bird in the cuckoo family. It is one of the two roadrunner species, This roadrunner is also known as the chaparral cock, ground cuckoo, and snake killer. The bird is about 22 inches long and weighs about 10 and a half ounces and is the largest North American cuckoo. The adult has a bushy crest and a 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 foot; two face forward, and two face backward. 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. The Greater Roadrunner nests on a platform of sticks or low in a cactus or a bush and lays 3–6 eggs, which hatch in 20 days. The chicks fledge in another 18 days. Pairs may occasionally rear a second brood.”
This bird walks around rapidly, running down prey or occasionally jumping up to catch insects or birds. It mainly feeds on insects, with the addition of small reptiles including small rattlesnakes, rodents and other small mammals, bugs and spiders, eggs, and carrion and may also eat huge quantities of grasshoppers. It kills larger prey with a blow from the beak—hitting the base of the neck of small mammals or by holding it in the beak and beating it against a rock. Two roadrunners sometimes attack a relatively big snake cooperatively. Fruit and seeds typically constitute about 10% of the diet. Although capable of flight, it spends most of its time on the ground, and can run at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour.
Native Beliefs
Some Pueblo Indian Tribes , such as the Hopi, believe that the roadrunner provides protection against evil spirits. In Mexico, some said it brought babies just like the White Stork was said to in Europe. Some Anglo frontier people believed roadrunners led lost people to trails. It is believed by some that Roadrunner teaches mental agility and speed. Watching the bird can illustrate the ability to think quickly and stay on our feet. They may be able to teach us to shift our thought process quickly and precisely. We may learn to develop the skill of stopping, shifting our attention and running in another direction when necessary either physically or mentally.
The tail of the roadrunner works like an airbrake, facilitating shifts and stops in our thought processes. It implies an activation of the life-force in a manner that will enable us to manifest our thoughts. Rather then procrastinating but never finishing, there will be increased opportunity to make plans and set them in motion and realize our goals. When we see a roadrunner, we are reminded that our minds are always at work, thinking, scheming and planning even when our bodies are at rest. Unless we are focused on outside events, like TV, music or listening to a conversation, our mind moves through series of images and streams of consciousness in words and reactions to things and events around us. Even while we sleep, we dream. Roadrunner reminds us of our own busy minds.
At the Creek
During Spring and Summer Roadrunners begin to be seen frequently along the shores of the creek and in the surrounding communities. They walk and dart around the infrequently used roads and streets just off Beaver Creek Road, searching for tasty critters. Most of us humans become more active outdoors this time of year too so we are accustomed to our roadrunner friends scurrying about. The many wild companions around here remind us of many of our own characteristics and habits that are so influenced by the presence of any of the four seasons of the year. Our metabolisms have increased as we work outside and perhaps we have set a few landscaping goals. Our busy bird friend has come to remind us to see our projects through to completion before becoming distracted by other attractive prospects.
As we follow the cycles of the year that bring various forms of wildlife to our attention, we evolve and change in our never-ending upward climb through time. We are continuously influenced and nourished by our relationship with the natural world. Out here we live in a place where the things of Creation are more dominant and powerful in our lives then the influences of society and technology. It’s a healthy and exhilarating lifestyle, alongside our roadrunner friends out here along the shores of Beaver Creek.
