Editing Roadrunner (section)

{{Short description|Genus of birds}}
{{About|the bird}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| image = 20140322-0062 La Quinta CA.JPG
| image_caption = Greater roadrunner
| taxon = Geococcyx
| authority = [[Johann Georg Wagler|Wagler]], 1831
| type_species = ''[[Greater roadrunner|Geococcyx variegata]]''<ref name=HM4>{{cite web |url= https://www.aviansystematics.org/4th-edition-checklist?viewfamilies=70 |title= Cuculidae |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website= aviansystematics.org |publisher= The Trust for Avian Systematics |access-date= 2023-08-05}}</ref>
| type_species_authority = Wagler, 1831
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = 
''[[Greater roadrunner|G. californianus]]''<br/>
''[[Lesser roadrunner|G. velox]]''
}}

The '''roadrunners''' (genus '''''Geococcyx'''''), also known as '''chaparral birds''' or '''chaparral cocks''', are two species of fast-running ground [[cuckoo]]s with long tails and crests. They are found in the [[southwestern United States|southwestern]] and south-central United States, [[Mexico]] and [[Central America]],<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|publisher=Farlex|encyclopedia=The Free Dictionary|url=http://www.thefreedictionary.com/roadrunner|access-date=3 May 2012|title=roadrunner}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=roadrunner|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roadrunner|encyclopedia=Merriam Webster|access-date=3 May 2012}}</ref> usually in the desert. Although capable of flight, roadrunners generally run away from predators. On the ground, some have been measured at {{convert|20|mph|km/h|order=flip|abbr=on}}.