Found in the southwestern areas of the US, in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and California.

Fairly numerous, usually seen in pairs in brush, grass, open woods and especially in arid brush.

Large bill, has a spotted crest on top of head and long tail feathers which can be cocked. Runs down small animals.

During winter, this species may be seen early in the morning drying feathers by puffing up into a round ball.

After finishing my shower, I drive back to the campsite, reconnect the solar panels and then begin preparing my cup of hot and Daystart. Once the kitchen is put away, I set my meal inside and then climb in, close the sliding door and begin breakfast while pounding keys to record this day in my journal. At nine-thirty, the roadrunner comes out of the thicket and begins to search for mast to eat.

It must feel really warm to the bird to be out of the thick bushes and in the direct sunlight because he soon fluffs his feathers and just stands there for some time in the sun warming himself.

However, his hunger must stronger than the need to warm himself because he resumes the hunt for more food by resuming his forage for mast.

However, his desire to get warm soon trumps his hunger and he fluffs up again.

He then notices the sun on a concrete slab and he quickly heads to the sun-warmed concrete where he spend some time before he is warm enough to head back to the dense thicket.

This roadrunner has been visiting me here at Falcon State Park fairly frequently and I suspect that I will be seeing him again in the days to come.

Too, I really enjoy his visits because I am able to get to know his habits and routine. Methinks, he is getting to know mine as well.

I awake, dress, drive off the mountains down to the flats and then east on the park road about thirty miles and turn right on the hot springs road. Then, I drive down a wash to the Rio Grande river canyon and park in the parking lot. I prepare my day pack and then head downriver along the trail and immediately see a roadrunner just ahead of me which I take several photos of.

I continue to Langford hot springs arriving before eight-thirty this morning and find this spot to be very peaceful. After soaking for about four hours, I pack out and drive back to the basin and park in the lodge parking lot and in the heat of the day, I climb into the back of the jammer to rest for a time.