Roadrunner placed in Rehab by 1st Response Wildlife

Here in the Southwest, we have the largest member of the cuckoo family, the Greater Roadrunner.

Lovingly characterized in cartoons and folklore as an extremely fast runner, friendly and quirky, and mostly unafraid of human interaction, this bird really serves our area well as a significant predator. The Roadrunner feeds on insects, rodents, lizards, snakes, and, even snatches baby quail, from time to time.  These birds run through the desert with surprising speed-12-15 mph and, if really startled or attempting to avoid predators or cars, will fly short distances. 

Recently, 1^st Response Wildlife was called to inspect a residence for nuisance animals and, during the course of checking the perimeter, discovered the presence of feral cats.  It seems neighbors in three homes surrounding the property being inspected were placing food and water outside for the cats and several cats were living in the neighborhood, to include one found on the roof of the property under inspection.

Neighbors reported that, in addition to feral cats, a Roadrunner had been living in the area for a while but, recently, they had observed it seemed unable to walk very well and they were concerned that it couldn’t run fast enough to escape a feral cat attack or even capture some of its normal prey.  Fortunately, the Roadrunner was found in the back yard of the property where 1^st Response Wildlife was doing the nuisance inspection and it was captured and was taken to a rehabber.  The rehabber inspected the injured foot and determined that, after a period of rehabilitation, where it will be fed and safely protected, its foot will heal and it will be eventually released back into the wild.

Here is the Greater Roadrunner safely housed in a transport container on its way to the rehabber.

Many residents of Tucson and the surrounding communities really underestimate the number of species and variety of wildlife that live in close proximity to homes, businesses, parks, and neighborhoods. 

Arriving prepared for almost anything is fundamental to providing the quality of service 1^st Response Wildlife’s customers expect.  1^st Response Wildlife had the equipment, experience, and relationships with rehabbers to deal with the surprise of finding an injured Roadrunner in conjunction with a nuisance animal call.  If you have bobcats, ringtails, or raccoons creating a nuisance, snakes in and around your home or business, scurrying or animal noises in your attic, bats observed in places where they shouldn’t be, please give 1^st Response Wildlife a call.

Thanks for considering 1st Response Wildlife 

Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, hawks, ducks, squirrels (ardilla), peacocks, coatimundi (gato solo), skunks (mofeta), exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is