Greater Roadrunner

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer studies what is known as probably the most iconic bird of the southwest, the greater roadrunner. The writer notes that the scientific name for the greater roadrunner is Geococcyx californianus, which is Latin for "ground cuckoo". The writer claims that
the greater roadrunner is one of the most underestimated and overlooked birds of the southwest. The writer discusses its ability to withstand harsh weather conditions year round. The writer then discusses its defining characteristics that put this unique and fascinating bird in an unmistakable class of its own. The bird's mutual parental responsibilities and important geographical roles within the southwest are also examined. In addition, the writer looks at the immense role the roadrunner plays within Native American culture and its iconic ways that somehow connects everyday life with the spirit world above.

From the Paper:

"In some Pueblo and Apache Native American cultures, it is believed that tracing the roadrunner's inscrutable tracks around a deceased person during burial ceremonies would confuse nearby evil spirits and keep their ancestor out of harm's way during their journey to spirit world. The most widely circulated, and believed, of all stories is one claiming that roadrunners pen sleeping rattlesnakes within a cactus fence. The story claims that while the snakes are unconscious, the wise bird gathers cactus hides (with their highly functional beaks) from nearby surroundings and builds a barrier of thorns that makes escape impossible for the helpless reptile. Legend continues that once the snake awakes and realizes its fortune, the roadrunner sets into full attack mode and vigorously pecks the powerless snake with its mighty beak until the snake is lifeless. The sharing and telling of these myths and legends not only help to keep the mystery and interest of the unique roadrunner alive, but it also helps keep their cultural status within the deserts of the southwest."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Cuevas, L. 1991. Apache Legends, Songs of the Wind Dancer. Naturegraph Publishers, Inc. Happy Camp, CA.
• Hughes, J. M. 1996. Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus). In The Birds of North America, No. 244 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.
• Perrins, C., Dr. 1979. Birds: Their Life, Their Ways, Their World. The Readers Digest Association, Inc. Pleasantville, N.Y.
• Taylor, D.1993. Endangered Desert Animals. Crabtree Publishing Company. New York, N.Y.
• Wells, T. 2002. 100 Birds and How They Got Their Names. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

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