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Greater Roadrunner
Geococcyx californianus
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About the Greater Roadrunner
The greater roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) is a long-legged bird in the cuckoo family, Cuculidae, from the Aridoamerica region in the Southwestern United States and Mexico. The scientific name means "Californian earth-cuckoo". Along with the lesser roadrunner, it is one of two species in the genus Geococcyx. This roadrunner is also known as the chaparral cock, ground cuckoo, and snake killer.
Source: Wikipedia
Classification
- Scientific name
- Geococcyx californianus
- Family
- Cuckoos
- Order
- Cuculiformes
Similar species
Other members of the cuckoos family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.
- Black-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus erythropthalmus
- Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
- Common Squirrel-Cuckoo Piaya cayana
- Dark-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus melacoryphus
- Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris
- Lesser Ground-Cuckoo Morococcyx erythropygus
- Lesser Roadrunner Geococcyx velox
- Mangrove Cuckoo Coccyzus minor
- Mexican Squirrel-Cuckoo Piaya mexicana
- Oriental Cuckoo Cuculus optatus
- Pheasant Cuckoo Dromococcyx phasianellus
- Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
Know when the Greater Roadrunner turns up near you
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Optics
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