The Official New Mexico State Bird

New Mexico State

Bird

July 24, 2008

FAST FACTS

FREE Wallpaper

Fun & Games

Send a friend this link

Website Map

Albuquerque, NM

Home > New Mexico > Information > Bird

New Mexico State Bird

Name: Chaparral Bird or Roadrunner
Binomial Name: Geococcyx californianus
Adopted: Legislation of 1949

The Roadrunner or Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) is a large, long-legged bird in the cuckoo family that nest on a platform of sticks in a cactus or bush.

Greater Roadrunner have a bushy crest and long thick dark bills and a long dark tail, a dark head and back, and are pale on the front of the neck and on the belly. Even though they capable of flight, they spend most of their time on the ground and can can run at speeds of 15 miles per hour or more, thus the name Roadrunner.

View the rest of the State Birds

[Return to top]

Hotels in New Mexico
Santa Fe Hotels
Albuquerque Hotels
Taos Hotels
Ruidoso Hotels