“The greater roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) was designated the official state bird of New Mexico in 1949. New Mexico also adopted a cartoon roadrunner as the official state litter-control mascot. All State Birds
Also called the chaparral bird, el correcaminos, and el paisano, the iconic roadrunner inhabits desert and shrubby country in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Although a roadrunner is capable of flight, it spends most of the time on the ground, running at speeds of 15 miles per hour (or more) to catch its prey (insects, small reptiles, rodents, tarantulas, scorpions and small birds).
The Hopi and Pueblo Indian tribes believed that the roadrunner provided protection against evil spirits.”
~State Symbols USA webpage~
Thanks so much for commenting on my photo of the roadrunner. We saw several on our desert hike, primping away, and calling to one another. Something was in the air! They are a type of cuckoos.