roadrunner (animal)

Latin (genus): Geococcyx sp.

Roadrunners are fast-running ground birds with long tails and crests. They are large, slender, with black-brown and white-streaked coloration and long legs, strong feet, and an oversized dark bill. The tail is broad with white tips on the three outer tail feathers. The bird has a bare patch of skin behind each eye; this patch is shaded blue to red.

There are two species, found in the southwestern and south-central United States and Mexico, usually in the desert. Some have been clocked at 20-27mph.