12.8. Geococcyx californianus: Roadrunner http://www.ck12.org
Evolution
Although nobody knows what theGeococcyx californiusexactly evolved from, all birds branched off of dinosaurs
called Theropods. The most bird-likeTheropodwas Deinonychus. Living 110 million years ago,Deinonychuswas
a carnivorous non-bird dinosaur that shared similar features to modern birds, such as talons, feathers, wings, and
other parts. Scientists don’t know how the wings evolved into what they are today, but there are theories on why.
One of the theories is that ancient bird-like ancestors used their wings to glide or jump over their enemies and/or
catch their prey.
Ecology
The predators of the greater roadrunner are hawks, coyotes, house cats, skunks, and raccoons. The greater roadrunner
is an omnivore, meaning it eats meat and vegetation. Its diet includes birds, small mammals, reptiles, eggs, insects,
fruit, and seed. Since the greater roadrunner is an omnivore, it can hydrate itself by collecting water among its
moisture-rich diet when a water source can’t be found or accessed. The lifespan of the greater roadrunner ranges
from 7-8 years in the wild. The greater roadrunner lays 2-8 eggs.
Anatomy and Physiology
Like other birds, the greater roadrunner has a four-chambered heart. Its digestive system includes a crop for food
storage and feeding young, and a gizzard for grinding food. They also have hollow bones to allow flight, even though
the flight of the greater roadrunner is weak. The greater roadrunner can run as fast as 17-26 mph.
Behavior
TheGeococcyx californianusis not a migratory bird. Its song is made up of six slow chirps in a continuously
deepening pitch. Both parents tend their young for 17 to 19 days after hatching, until the young leave the nest. Even
when the young leaves the nest, the parents still tend to them for up to 30 to 40 days. The greater roadrunner mates
for life and is very territorial. The greater roadrunner protects itself by running. The roadrunner sometimes gets its
food by using a rock and smashing its prey.
References
- http://www.ck12.org/biology/Bird-Evolution/lesson/Bird-Evolution/
- http://www.ck12.org/biology/Common-Parts-of-the-Cell/lesson/Common-Parts-of-the-Cell/
- http://www.ck12.org/biology/Organelles/lesson/user:am1vcnJvd0BjbGFzc2ljYWxhY2FkZW15LmNvbQ../Anim
al-and-Plant-Cells/ - http://eol.org/pages/915105/details
- http://naturebytesvideo.com/bytes_P-R/roadrunner.html
- McCloskey, Erin. Southern California Nature Guide. Edmonton, Alta.: Lone Pine, 2009. Print.
- Shanks, Bernard. California Wildlife. Los Angeles: Falcon Press Publishing, 1989. Print.