[omgb]

Saw a Roadrunner today, or at least, I caught a glimpse of one before it vanished in the sage. I've lived 40 of my 57 years in SoCal and this is only the second time I've seen one in the wild. I live on the transition line between suburban Santa Clarita and the Angeles national Forrest. this little guy was in the Santa Susana Pass just off the Desoto off-ramp of the 118. amazing little birds. They nest off the ground in fairly large nests and lay clutches of up to 6 eggs. It's a wonder we don't see more of them given the lizards, snakes, quail etc that we have around here.

 

[wingmaster78]

I was working at Camp Pendelton a few years ago and Road Runners were [plentiful. I would see a couple everyday. They especially liked our jobsites because the cover had been scraped off. The lizards were everywhere and so were the birds. Usually saw them in the mornings.

 

[Tron]

Was it being chased by a Coyote?

 

[SF SGM]

Was it wedge head or a hemi?
Van

 

[Catpower]

We have quite a few here in N Texas, just about ran over one yesterday when I was on my Gator

 

[trapshootin hippie]

They play out in the yard here most every day. MEEP-MEEP

GneJ

 

[Catpower]

Actually a lot of the ones we see are Chaparrals

 

[trapshootin hippie]

Rick, them dam pheasants are awful skinny up your way it seems.

GneJ

 

[motordoctor]

The ones around Cleveland look something like this. They nest near the drive-in restaurants on the weekends. Don't see too many this time of the year. Motordoc

 

[22hornet]

They are hell on quail eggs. They are very common around here. I'd rather have the quail.

 

[wireguy]

Yes, they kill a lot of baby quail.

 

[Catpower]

Around here the hawks are tough on quail, every year we have a covey of quail the the hen raises in an old cattle pen the is full of giant ragweed, it will start off with about a dozen, and as soon as they are old enough to leave the nest there is a damned redtail hawk that camps out on a post in my neighbors field, and the herd of Quail goes down fast

The Giant Ragweed was planned the quail love the seeds

 

[trapshootin hippie]

Cat. how bout eliminating the hawk? After all, they taste a lot like spotted owl.

GneJ

 

[birdogs]

"Might want to show them foreigners in places like NYC, Cleveland and such what one looks like."

I think they just elected one Mayor in New York!

 

[Age&Treachery]

Here in Redlands San Tim Canyon we see and interact with Road Runners all the time. They are actually very sociable once they realize you are not a threat. I've named one "GREAT HUNTER" as he will go out of his way to show me his latest catch, even to the point of jumping up onto the hood of my truck or BBQ lid. When a dog is not with me, Great Hunter will show up at the side of the road and race our golf cart.

I've been told this is not uncommon and You Tube has a number of Road Runner interaction videos.

Don't feel slighted, my wife after nearly 30 years in the Canyon finally saw her first wild burro last month.

I hope your sightings increase and are a good omen for the New Year!

 

[BENCHREST]

Rick, if that roadrunner had more hair it would resemble my wonderful Mayors son. Here In NYC...Joe