Juvenile Greater Roadrunner
This Greater Roadrunner was found orphaned at two weeks old and brought to Tucson Wildlife Center for care. Now about a month old, he has been moved to an outdoor enclosure where he can begin acclimating to the weather and learning to hunt on his own.
In the wild, roadrunner chicks leave the nest early but continue to rely on their parents as they develop the skills needed to survive—hunting, navigating their environment, and responding to potential threats. In rehabilitation, our wildlife care team works to recreate those opportunities, providing an environment where natural behaviors can emerge and strengthen.
The video (sound on) shows footage from his first day at TWC—making loud, repetitive calls typical of nestlings, often used to signal hunger. This is an early-life behavior that he has since outgrown. While these calls may sound like a request for food, many young birds will beg automatically, even when they are not hungry. Because of this, and the fact they require highly specialized diets, it is very important not to feed young birds if found. Please call TWC first for guidance.
As the clip continues, you can see just how much he has grown, now running and clacking—early versions of behaviors adult roadrunners rely on for defense, communication, and capturing prey. While adults can reach speeds of up to 15-20 mph, juveniles at this age are still building strength and coordination, gradually developing the speed and agility they will need to thrive in the desert.
In the second photo, you may notice his crest is raised—a behavior often seen when roadrunners are alert and assessing their surroundings. Moments like this are an encouraging sign that his natural instincts are developing as he prepares for life back in the wild. Stay tuned for updates on his growth and progress. If you would like to help patients like this Greater Roadrunner, click this link to donate,
Another way you can contribute is to visit our “wish list” on Amazon or Chewy below:
We appreciate it, as will all the wild animals in our care!
#tucsonwildlifecenter #wildliferehabber #tucsonnativewildlife #tucsonanimals #AZnativeanimals #wildliferehabilitation
Show your support with a minimum $25 donation and we’ll send you a “KEEP TUCSON WILD” sticker. Click the bumper sticker to donate.