Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: ROADRUNNER, GREATER

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: AVES

Order: CUCULIFORMES

Family: CUCULIDAE

Genus: GEOCOCCYX

Species: CALIFORNIANUS

Taxonomic Authority: (LESSON)

Taxonomy References: 002

Status

NONGAME
STATE RANK S3
GLOBAL RANK G5

Status References: 013 , 028 , 029

Habitat Summary

"Occur in mixed brush and open land with herbaceous vegetation generally less than .5 m tall and some areas less than 5 cm tall. Prefer shrub layer 2-3 m tall and thorny plants for nesting."

Primary Habitat: "Savanna/Shrub/Woodland matrix"

References: 016 , 017 , 019 , 018

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Rare permanent resident in southwest Missouri *01*."

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
BARRY ADAIR
CHRISTIAN ANDREW
COOPER ATCHISON
DALLAS AUDRAIN
DOUGLAS BARTON
HOWELL BATES
LACLEDE BENTON
MCDONALD BOLLINGER
MISSISSIPPI BOONE
NEWTON BUCHANAN
OZARK BUTLER
PHELPS CALDWELL
SCOTT CALLAWAY
STONE CAMDEN
TANEY CAPE GIRARDEAU
WAYNE CARROLL
CARTER
CASS
CEDAR
CHARITON
CLARK
CLAY
CLINTON
COLE
CRAWFORD
DADE
DAVIESS
DEKALB
DENT
DUNKLIN
FRANKLIN
GASCONADE
GENTRY
GREENE
GRUNDY
HARRISON
HENRY
HICKORY
HOLT
HOWARD
IRON
JACKSON
JASPER
JEFFERSON
JOHNSON
KNOX
LAFAYETTE
LAWRENCE
LEWIS
LINCOLN
LINN
LIVINGSTON
MACON
MADISON
MARIES
MARION
MERCER
MILLER
MONITEAU
MONROE
MONTGOMERY
MORGAN
NEW MADRID
NODAWAY
OREGON
OSAGE
PEMISCOT
PERRY
PETTIS
PIKE
PLATTE
POLK
PULASKI
PUTNAM
RALLS
RANDOLPH
RAY
REYNOLDS
RIPLEY
SALINE
SCHUYLER
SCOTLAND
SHANNON
SHELBY
ST. CHARLES
ST. CLAIR
ST. FRANCOIS
ST. LOUIS
STE. GENEVIEVE
STODDARD
SULLIVAN
TEXAS
VERNON
WARREN
WASHINGTON
WEBSTER
WORTH
WRIGHT

References for distribution: 001 , 003 , 004 , 005 , 006 , 007 , 008 , 010 , 011 , 027 , 012

Distribution by Watersheds

Meramec R.
Bourbeuse R.
Miss. R. from River Aux Vases to Ohio R.
Castor R. and Castor R. Diversion Channel
Miss R. from Ohio R. to Arkansas Border
St. John's Ditch and Blue Ditch
Little R.
Pomme De Terre R.
Osage R. from Warsaw to Bagnell Dam
Niangua R.
Gasconade R. from Headwaters to Big Piney R.
Big Piney R.
Gasconade R. from Big Piney R. to Mo. R.
Mo. R. from Little Chariton R. to Gasconade R.
Lamine R.
White R. above Tablerock Dam
James R.
White R. below Tablerock Dam and Little North Fork White R.
North Fork White R.
Current R.
Warm Fork Spring R. and South Fork
Eleven Point R.
Lost Creek
Spring R.
Indian Creek

Comments: "Likely to occur in units listed, based on county occurrence."

Distribution by Ecoregions

Ozark Highlands

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Cedar Glades
Oak-Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest
Southern Floodplain Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Ozark Border: Missouri River
Ozark: Springfield Plateau
Ozark: Upper Ozark
Ozark: Elk River
Ozark: White River
Ozark: Lower Ozark
Mississippi Lowlands
Mississippi Lowlands: Crowley's Ridge
Mississippi Lowlands: Lowlands

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Terrestrial" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Aquatic Associations:

References for Aquatic Associations:

Habitat Types:

Limestone Glade
Shrub-Grass

References for Habitat Types: 014 , 016 , 017 , 019 , 018

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Primary
Glade
Limestone Glade
Dolomite Glade
Chert Glade
Sandstone Glade
Igneous Glade

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 014 , 016 , 017 , 019 , 018

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Carnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Homoptera (cicadas, hoppers, aphids, scale insects); Not Specified
Reptiles; Not Specified
Sauria (lizards, skinks); Not Specified
Serpentes (snakes); Not Specified
Insects Insects; Not Specified
Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, mantids); Not Specified

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits 003 , 016 , 020

Adult Food Habits

Shrubs; Fruit/Seeds
Forbs; Fruit/Seeds
Birds; Egg stage
Lepidoptera (butterflies); Larva stage
Diptera (flies, midges, mosquitos, gnats); Larva stage
Leporidae (rabbits); Juvenile stage
Birds; Juvenile stage
Coleoptera (beetles); Not Specified
Hymenoptera (sawflies, ants, wasps, bees); Not Specified
Reptiles; Not Specified
Sauria (lizards, skinks); Not Specified
Serpentes (snakes); Not Specified
Mammals; Not Specified
Arachnids (spiders, ticks, mites, scorpions, daddy longlegs); Not Specified
Insects Insects; Not Specified
Chiroptera (bats); Not Specified
Sciuridae (squirrels, chipmunks, prairie dogs); Not Specified
Cricetidae (woodrats, mice, voles, lemmings); Not Specified
Terrestrial Insects; Not Specified
Chilopods (centipedes); Not Specified
Diplopods (millipedes); Not Specified
Birds; Adult Stage

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 021 , 022 , 023 , 025

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Edge: grassland/old field edge
Height of understory specified in comments(00610)
Herbaceous cover (%) specified in comments(00620) Herbaceous cover (%) specified in comments

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 016 , 017 , 019 , 018

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Height of understory specified in comments(00610)
Herbaceous cover (%) specified in comments(00620) Herbaceous cover (%) specified in comments

References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 016 , 017 , 019 , 018

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Edge: grassland/old field edge
Successional stage: abandoned field
Height of understory specified in comments(00610)
Shrubs specified in comments(00615)
Herbaceous cover (%) specified in comments(00620) Herbaceous cover (%) specified in comments

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 016 , 017 , 019 , 020 , 018

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Edge: grassland/old field edge
Height of understory specified in comments(00610)
Herbaceous cover (%) specified in comments(00620) Herbaceous cover (%) specified in comments

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 016 , 017 , 019 , 025 , 018

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Edge: grassland/old field edge
Height of understory specified in comments(00610)
Herbaceous cover (%) specified in comments(00620) Herbaceous cover (%) specified in comments

References for resting adult niche requirements: 003 , 005 , 016 , 020

Niche Requirement Summary

Edge: grassland/old field edge
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Height of understory specified in comments(00610)
Herbaceous cover (%) specified in comments(00620) Herbaceous cover (%) specified in comments
Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Shrubs specified in comments(00615)
Successional stage: abandoned field

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
015 Nest materials may include dry cow dung *19,22*
031 Annual mortality about 40% *16*
007 In arizona, breed mid-April to mid-June and late July to mid-September *20* in TX, breed April-September *16*
011 May nest in a clump of cactus *22,18,19*. Prefer thorny plants for nesting *16*
014 Occasionally nest on ground *18,19* usually 3-15' high *18,19,22* in TX, nest .9- 6.1 m high, usually 1-1.5 m high *16*
016 Nest diameter 1' *22*
017 Incubation 20 days *17*, 17-18 days in arizona *20* 18 days in TX *16*
018 Clutch size 2-7 *20,16*, average 4.0 in TX *16*, 4.6 in arizona *20*, 3-6 *22*
019 1 brood in TX *16*, in other areas may be 2 broods, occasionally 3 *18,19,22,17*
026 Maintain territory year-round, territory split between male and female in winter and while feeding young *16*
027 Territories in TX seem to be mainly linear and follow areas of short vegetation. Most territories about .7 km long *16*
029 In TX, pairs are uniformly dispersed along relevant habitat features *16*
034 Limiting factors include food, weather *16*
035 Predators include coyote, raccoon, striped skunk *16* snakes *16,22* hawks, and crows *22*
099 Young fledge at 18 days *16,20*, 19-20 days *17*

Life History Information

Territoriality specified in comments(026)
Territory size specified in comments(027)
Dispersion specified in comments(029)
Periodicity: active in day
Mortality rate specified in comments(031)
Limiting factors specified in comments(034)
Regulatory factors specified in comments(035)
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: all seasons
Foraging strategy: stalking
Foraging sites: ground
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Mating system: monogamy
Duration of pair bond: pair for life
Display site: ground
Display site: perch
Nest/den site: shrubs
Nest/den site specified in comments(011)
Nest height specified in comments(014)
Nest materials: grasses
Nest materials: forbs
Nest materials: leaves
Nest materials: hair or feathers
Nest materials: rootlets
Nest materials specified in comments(015)
Nest dimensions specified in comments(016)
Gestation/incubation period specified in comments(017)
Clutch/litter size specified in comments(018)
Number of broods/litters per year specified in comments(019)
Development of young at birth/hatching: altricial
Parental care of young: both parents
Sex ratio: 1:1
Territoriality: defends entire breeding, feeding, and nesting territory

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
015 Nest materials may include dry cow dung *19,22*
031 Annual mortality about 40% *16*
007 In arizona, breed mid-April to mid-June and late July to mid-September *20* in TX, breed April-September *16*
011 May nest in a clump of cactus *22,18,19*. Prefer thorny plants for nesting *16*
014 Occasionally nest on ground *18,19* usually 3-15' high *18,19,22* in TX, nest .9- 6.1 m high, usually 1-1.5 m high *16*
016 Nest diameter 1' *22*
017 Incubation 20 days *17*, 17-18 days in arizona *20* 18 days in TX *16*
018 Clutch size 2-7 *20,16*, average 4.0 in TX *16*, 4.6 in arizona *20*, 3-6 *22*
019 1 brood in TX *16*, in other areas may be 2 broods, occasionally 3 *18,19,22,17*
026 Maintain territory year-round, territory split between male and female in winter and while feeding young *16*
027 Territories in TX seem to be mainly linear and follow areas of short vegetation. Most territories about .7 km long *16*
029 In TX, pairs are uniformly dispersed along relevant habitat features *16*
034 Limiting factors include food, weather *16*
035 Predators include coyote, raccoon, striped skunk *16* snakes *16,22* hawks, and crows *22*
099 Young fledge at 18 days *16,20*, 19-20 days *17*

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Grassland - develop/maintain brushpiles
Shrub/brush - maintain early stage of ecological succession
Shrub/brush - control grazing of domestic livestock
Shrub/brush - develop/maintain edge (ecotones)
Shrub/brush - develop/maintain brushpiles
Grassland - control grazing of domestic livestock
Grassland - prescribed/controlled burning
Grassland - develop/maintain edge (ecotones)

Beneficial Management References: 016 , 017 , 019 , 020 , 026 , 018

Adverse Managment Practices:

Shrub/brush - application of herbicides
Shrub/brush - application of pesticides
Shrub/brush - application of insecticides
Shrub/brush - control of undesirable invertebrate species (beetles, grasshoppers)
Shrub/brush - uncontrolled grazing of domestic livestock
Grassland - application of herbicides
Grassland - application of pesticides
Grassland - application of insecticides
Grassland - control of undesirable invertebrate species (beetles, grasshoppers)
Grassland - uncontrolled grazing of domestic livestock

Adverse Management References: 003 , 016 , 017 , 019 , 020 , 018

Comments on Management:

References for Management Comments: 003

References

Reference Code Citation
001 Easterla, D.A., M.B. Robbins and R.A. Anderson. 1992. Annotated Check-List Of Missouri Birds. The Audubon Society Of Missouri.
002 American Ornithologists Union. 1983. Checklist Of North American Birds (6th Ed.) Allen Press, Lawrence, KS. 877 Pp.
003 Unpb Wilson, Jim D. Mo Dept. Conserv. P.O. Box 180. Jefferson City, Mo 65102. (573)751-4115.
004 Unpb Rathert, J. Mo Dept. Of Conservation, 1110 S. College Ave., Columbia, Mo 65201. (573)-882-9880.
005 Birds Of The Bennett Spring State Park Area Field Checklist. Nature Interpretive Center Staff.
006 Unpb Breeding Bird Survey. 1974 and 1976. J.D. Wilson, Mo Dept. Of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102. (573)-751-4115
007 Anonymous. 1978. Cooper County Bird Notes. Bluebird 45(4):9.
008 Robbins, M. 1978. Fall Survey. Bluebird 45(1):23-29.
009 Anderson, R. 1975. Winter Survey. Bluebird 42(3):12-14.
010 Anderson, D. 1974. Winter Survey. Bluebird 41(2):2-3.
011 Anderson, D. 1973. Winter Survey. Bluebird 40(2):7-8.
012 Heilbrun, L.H. 1978. 1977-1978 Christmas Bird Count. Amer. Birds 32(4):447-911.
013 The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
014 Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
015 Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
016 Unpb Folse, L.J. 1974. Population Ecology Of Roadrunners (Geococcyx Californianus) In South Texas. M.S. Thesis, Texas AandM Univ., College Station, Tx. 126 Pp.
017 Whitson, M. 1975. Courtship Behavior Of The Greater Roadrunner. Living Bird 14:215-256.
018 Johnsgard, P.A. 1979. Birds Of The Great Plains. Univ. Of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, Nebr. 539 Pp.
019 Harrison, H.H. 1975. A Field Guide To Birds Nests In The United States East Of The Mississippi River. Houghton - Mifflin Co., Boston 257 Pp.
020 Ohmart, R.D. 1973. Observations On The Breeding Adaptations Of The Roadrunner. Condor 75:140-149.
021 Bleich, V.C. 1975. Roadrunner Predation On Ground Squirrels In California. Auk 92:147-148.
022 Bent, A.C. 1940. Life Histories Of North American Cuckoos, Goatsuckers, Hummingbirds And Their Allies. U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 176. Pp.111-129.
023 Zimmerman, D.A. 1970. Roadrunner Predation On Passerine Birds. Condor 72:475-476.
024 Calder, W.A. 1963. The Diurnal Activity Of The Roadrunner, Geococcyx Californianus. Condor 70:84-85.
025 Beal, K.G. 1981. Winter Foraging Habits Of The Roadrunner. Bull. Oklahoma Ornith. Soc. 14(1):13-15.
026 Missouri Dept. Of Conservation and U.S. Forest Service. 1985. Management Of Snags And Cavity Trees In Missouri. Mo Cons. Comm, Jefferson City, Mo. 21 Pp.
027 Unpb Wilson, J.D. and B. Jacobs. 1988. The Distribution And Breeding Status Of The Birds Of Missouri (Preliminary Report). Mo Dept. Of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
028 The Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 44 Pp.
029 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2004. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 47 Pp.