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This page lists books that are totally or partially about Roadrunners. The books are listed in order of publication date with the most recent at the top.

Roadrunners

Genus: Geococcyx

Greater Roadrunner
Geococcyx californianus

Lesser Roadrunner
Geococcyx velox

Cuckoos of the World

Johannes Erritzøe, Clive F Mann, Frederik P Brammer, Richard A Fuller

Helm Identification Guides

Christopher Helm

2012

"Cuckoos of the World describes all 144 species of the Cuculidae in exceptional detail, with accurate range maps and superb illustrations by four world-renowned artists to show different plumages and subspecies. Despite many species being difficult to see well - often their presence is only revealed by vocalisations - photographs, many of a very high standard, of almost all species are also included, further aiding identification. Cuckoos of the World brings together not only personal field and museum research from the four authors, but information from a number of sources, including a comprehensive literature review. Our knowledge of these birds is far from complete, even in intensively studied species such as the common cuckoo, and much remains to be discovered. Cuckoos of the World represents the definitive reference on the identification of cuckoos. It is hoped that it will engender a wider interest in cuckoos and be a spur to future research."

The Real Roadrunner

Martha Anne Maxon

2005

"The roadrunner, an icon of the Southwest and one of the most beloved birds of the United States, is also one of the least understood. In The Real Roadrunner, Martha Anne Maxon offers the most thorough natural history of the greater roadrunner species to date, revealing how the adaptable nature of the bird has allowed it to survive throughout the centuries and even to thrive today, when many other bird species are in decline. In her portrait of the roadrunner, Maxon covers the basic features and behavioral patterns of this bird-lineage, anatomy, habitat, and range, as well as strategies for obtaining food, withstanding the elements, and avoiding predators, with special attention given to the courtship and nesting behaviors that occupy the species for three-quarters of the year. The author has assembled and analyzed information both from scientific and popular literature and from other researchers. This and her years of field observation and experience with raising young roadrunners in captivity have yielded new and intriguing facts on the species' courtship and nesting behavior and on the development of the young."

Roadrunners

Lynn Hassler Kaufman

2005

"Known for its speed, charisma, and impudence, the roadrunner has walked or run, his way into the hearts of millions. Yet the roadrunner is more than just a cartoon, hes a cuckoo! As member of the ground-dwelling cuckoo family, the roadrunners twiggy legs are powerful and can reach speeds of up to fifteen miles per hour. Birding expert, Lynn Kaufman gives us a new title for our Look West series. Roadrunners, is an introduction into the life of this independent and self-reliant creature."

The Cuckoos

Robert B. Payne and Michael D. Sorensen

Oxford University Press

2005

644 pages, numerous colour plates, halftones, maps, and line figures

The most up-to-date and comprehensive study of this most fascinating family of birds. Contains much new and previously unpublished data, including a complete evolutionary tree of cuckoo species based on molecular genetics and a new analysis of species based on songs. Provides information on the breeding biology and life histories of all cuckoo species.

"In The Cuckoos, Robert B. Payne presents a new evolutionary history of the family based on molecular genetics, and uses the family tree to explore the origins and diversity of their behaviour. He traces details of the cuckoos' biology to their original sources, includes descriptions of previously unpublished field observations, and reveals new comparisons of songs showing previously overlooked cuckoo species. Lavishly illustrated with specially commissioned colour plates and numerous maps, halftones, and line drawings, The Cuckoos provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date account of this family yet available."

The Roadrunner: Tenth Anniversary Edition

Wyman Meinzer

2003

"Meinzer's classic photostudy, first published in 1993, is a personal account of the years spent observing and recording the daily routine of several roadrunner families. Through his lens, he chronicled roadrunners' courting, mating, nesting, hunting, and rearing of young. This new edition includes a new preface from Meinzer and several new photographs, including 2 of a rare white roadrunner."

Avian Desert Predators

W.E. Cook

Springer

2003

"Birds are not particularly well suited to desert life. Unlike mammals, they are generally active during the day and do not usually go underground to escape the intense desert heat. Among the few types of birds that have successfully invaded the desert ecosystem are the predators. Many species of hawks, owls, roadrunners, vultures, and shrikes survive very well in deserts. What attributes make this group especially suited to desert life? How have they augmented their abilities to cope with the harsh constraints imposed by the desert habitat? These are among the issues explored in this new volume, which brings together much of the current research on adaptations of avian desert predators."

The Roadrunner

Wyman Meinzer

1993

"The lifestyle of the roadrunner is vividly documented in this one-of-a-kind book. Wyman Meinzer's photographs and text provide a personal account of the years he spent observing the daily routine of several roadrunner families as the birds courted, mated, nested, reared their young, and hunted for food."