Roadrunner, the bird we all know.
All of us who are fortunate enough to live or visit Baja have at some point been able to observe a very particular bird that is characteristic of the area and that brings back memories of our childhood thanks to its famous cartoon. The friendly “Roadrunner” or Geococcyx californianus, belonging to the Cuculidae family, is a grayish-toned bird that is characterized by having a very fast and agile gait; it only flies when necessary; it can reach a speed of 24 km/h, being even a little faster when it is in hunting mode. With a length that varies between 52 and 62 centimeters, the roadrunner is an expert at camouflaging itself among the bushes and thistles of the desert, becoming an integral part of the landscape. Its ability to run at high speed allows it to evade predators and search for food efficiently. Its diet is based on rodents or prey such as lizards, baby squirrels, small birds such as quail and sparrows, and arthropods, including scorpions, spiders, centipedes, and even vi...