Roadrunners, common to the New Mexico landscape, prefer walking or running and attain speed up to 17 Miles per hour!

In 1949, the roadrunner was adopted as New Mexico's state bird. The Roadrunner is famous for its shining purplish plumage, long metallic-green tail, crest of featthers on its head, long pointed bill, strong feet and the blue and orange patch around its eyes. Often called the paisano or chaparral bird, it can be found throughout New Mexico and the western deserts.

Roadrunners

• Love to eat lizards, frogs, grasshoppers, small birds, mammals, insects and are even fast enough to catch snakes!
• They are great parents! Young of all ages fit comfortably in large nests made of twigs and feathers.
• You know when a roadrunner is stressed out when you hear a harsh, rattling, bill popping cry.
• Roadrunners are 18 to 20 inches in length.
• A long tail helps roadrunners keep their balance as they speed by.
• The life span of a roadrunner is 7 to 8 years!