Roadrunners in my garden

Hey yeah! Omega spared those two roadrunners. A sign of weakness! Everyone rush his compound! We'll divide his gear equally!

*grin*

'You want me to be fitted out for a what costume?!?'

Do you have a picture of that beautiful Creature; Geococcyx californianus.

They are their because you fed and watered them. We used to feed them burgers, (raw)

Tell ya what I'll see if I can snap a photo or two of them on my days off work. They really are pretty cool and they are used to me as they have been there several years-I can get pretty close to them.......

I'll laywait for em' with a camera rather than a gun. ;>)

At any rate I'll try some black sunflower seeds and see if they like that.......

Yeah bumrush my compound go for it. ;>)

:5:

picture of a road runner

[link to z.about.com]

Yup that be them.....

:5:

roadrunners are carnivores dont know why they are bothering with squash...maybe they are bored.....lol

roadrunner is our state bird...........next door to you omega in NM

On second thought, I'll wait to see it on the Nightly News. *grin*

You know..if you could train your wildlife to attack everyone who comes near the house except yourself....

You live in east Texas if I remember. You ever hear any odd howls or calls? I was watching MonsterQuest on the History channel. They were talking about Bigfoot in Texas on one show.

I have grackles eating some of my plants - I've used some hot Indian seasoning mix that I have. I don't think the birds actually can 'taste/feel' the hotness but it keeps them away.

Geococcyx check

[link to en.wikipedia.org]

[link to www.desertusa.com]

Typical diet: insects, lizards, snakes


Curious Facts

Roadrunners are quick enough to catch and eat rattlesnakes.

Roadrunners prefer walking or running and attain speeds up to 17 mph. hour

The Roadrunner is also called the Chaparral Cock.

The Roadrunner reabsorbs water from its feces before excretion.

The Roadrunner’s nasal gland eliminates excess salt, instead of using the urinary tract like most birds.

The Roadrunner is the state bird of New Mexico.

The solution should involve large red rockets and birdseed.

bring the coyote ;)

Thanks!!!

From your link....


Roadrunners are omnivores and are opportunistic. Their diet normally consist of insects (such as grasshoppers, crickets, caterpillars, and beetles), small reptiles (such as lizards and snakes, including rattlesnakes), rodents and small mammals, tarantulas, scorpions, centipedes, spiders, small birds, eggs, nestlings, and fruits and seeds like prickly pear cactus and sumac. The lesser roadrunner eats mainly insects. Roadrunners forage on the ground and, when hunting, usually run after prey from under cover. They may leap to catch insects, and commonly batter certain prey, such as snakes, against the ground.

Geococcyx is the only real predator of the tarantula hawk wasps.



I once saw a tarantula hawk wasp out here a few years ago. Thought it was a fucking National Guard Helicopter on final approach. Went for the shotgun but he cut out. ;>)


LOL I read on a bird board some dude feeds roadrunners Oscar Meyer wieners. Yeah lemme get right on that, I'll hang a few dozen on strings off my fence. ;>)

Last Edited by Omega on 06/08/2009 10:54 AM

[link to nationalzoo.si.edu]

Although roadrunners may look awkward, they are serious predators. Roadrunners are masters of opportunity, capturing a variety of prey, including lizards, scorpions, snakes, rodents, small birds, eggs, millipedes, spiders, and insects. They occasionally dine on carrion. In addition, berries and seeds make up about ten percent of their diet.

At the Zoo, the roadrunner's diet includes dead mice, pelleted food, and insects that he captures on his runs through the exhibit.

Could email them and ask what type of pelleted food they eat.


Food items often play an important part in roadrunner courtship. In early spring, roadrunner pairs reaffirm their bond through courting and mating rituals. A male dashes close behind a female, a tempting lizard or snake dangling from his bill. He wags his cocked tail from side to side and occasionally springs into the air and clumsily hovers to keep her attention. If the female accepts the morsel instead of running away, the pair usually mates. Visitors to the Zoo may soon be able to view such behavior--there is a good chance that our male will be joined by a female in May or June.

Thanks;

"They are monogamous and a pair may mate for life. Pairs may hold a territory all year." What does their nest look like? Do they use the same one year after year?

The Osprey is another COOOL BIRD, but that is another thread.

They eat spiders and rattlesnakes? Box 'em up and send 'em here.

sounds like these road runners can protect Omegas vegetables

Dumb idea...he has 2 roadrunners guardin the place. Have you seen what happens to the coyote when he tries?

Yeah looks like they eat snakes. That makes them allright by me.....

:5:

Ditto. I've got a BIG fear of spiders. Just found a brown recluse the other day on the ceiling. The thing is, I thought they were nocturnal creatures. But this one was crawling around during the middle of the day - so its nest got disturbed somehow. It really bugs me that there may be more crawling around.

live and let live you stupid cow

Yeah you don't wanna mess with a brown recluse....dunno light a couple of insect bombs off in that room?

For real. All Mississippi ended up getting from Texas was coyotes and armadillos. You kept the good animals for yourselves! :shakes fist:

And after we helped you win the Alamo. *grin*

Fuck off and die troll.

You'll be doing humanity a favor.

Really.

Yeah, have to make a few errand runs later. I May just do that. Thanks!

Heh. Armadillos are a riot, blind as a bat. Can make a nice soup bowl with the shell. ;>)

Last Edited by Omega on 06/08/2009 11:06 AM

I killed a black widow the other day. Out in the garage. I don't like 'em.