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Greater Roadrunner Identification

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The Four Keys to ID

  • Size & Shape

    Greater Roadrunners are large cuckoos with a distinctive shape: long legs, a very long, straight tail, and a long neck. The head has a short crest and the bill is long, heavy, and slightly downcurved.

    Relative Size

    Larger than a Rock Pigeon; about the size (but more slender than) a Common Raven.

    Relative Sizecrow sizedcrow-sized

    Measurements
    • Both Sexes
      • Length: 20.5-21.3 in (52-54 cm)
      • Weight: 7.8-19.0 oz (221-538 g)
      • Wingspan: 19.3 in (49 cm)

    Shape of the Greater Roadrunner© Lawrence Haller / Macaulay Library