Spring into Action and Kick Up Some Dust!

Roadrunners are two species of fast-running ground cuckoos with long tails and crests. They are found in the desert areas of southwestern and south-central US and Mexico. They are capable of flight but they usually just run away from predators.  

Roadrunners get their name because they are often seen running at speeds up to 20 mph through the scrubland.  Their long legs and moving quickly and their long tails are streaming out behind.  You might hear their call which is more like coo-coo. That is a clue that these speedy birds are in the cuckoo family. 

A roadrunner’s head is adorned with a small crest of feathers that can be raised or lowered. They have a patch of bare, blue skin behind the eye. Roadrunners weigh from half a pound to a pound. Their wingspan is 20 inches. Roadrunners are born to run and they can easily outrun a human.  They prefer to run, rather than to fly.

For such a small bird, a roadrunner shows great strength, courage and stamina.  Roadrunners are smart too.  They never try to go after a creature too large. They have a sharp beak which they use for hunting and foraging. 

The roadrunner is a carnivore. Their diet includes insects, reptiles, rodents and birds. They feed on many large insects including scorpions, tarantulas and centipedes.  They catch many lizards, snakes, mice, young ground squirrels, small birds and sometimes snails. They are also known to eat rattlesnakes and other venomous snakes.  Roadrunners are one of the few birds that are immune to snake venom.

Roadrunners are solitary birds that are active during the day.  They rest at night.  Roadrunners mate for life.  During the breeding season, the male roadrunner will perform a series of acrobatic leaps and chases to attract a mate.  Once paired, the male and female will build a nest together.  Both parents share the responsibilities of incubating and raising their young.

The roadrunner has a few natural predators.  Snakes like to attack roadrunners. Birds of prey, like hawks and owls, coyotes, and domestic cats pose a threat to roadrunner eggs and young.  In spite of these predators, the roadrunner is a resilient species that has adapted well to life in the desert. 

These are the sayings I found on the bookmark called Advice from a Roadrunner.

• Be Quick

• Full Speed Ahead

• Defy Expectations

• Hit the Ground Running

• Spring into Action

• Get off the Beaten Track

• Kick up some Dust!

Here are my comments about each of these sayings.

• Be Quick - Hustle, jump to it, get cracking! These are all other words I’ve heard when we need to take immediate action.

• Full Speed Ahead - This was a rallying cry during the American Civil War.  

• Defy Expectations - When someone doesn’t expect you to succeed, prove them wrong!  Do the impossible.

• Hit the Ground Running - Start something and keep going with enthusiasm. 

• Spring into Action - Start doing something quickly!

• Get off the Beaten Track - Find a new way of doing something.

• Kick up some Dust! - Cause a commotion - do something new and unexpected. 

Have a great day everyone.  Spring into Action and Kick Up Some Dust!

# living life abundantly  # published author  # travelling tuesdays