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Roadrunner relocation possible?

Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 9:21 am
by critterkindness
Hi! Great site! I'm so glad I found it. :) I live in the high desert in So.Cal. and have worked with the desert denizens happily until now. However, a teen Roadrunner has found my bird feeders and killed and eviserated a Dove this morning. I, of course, don't want to kill it and need to know how to re-locate it if I can catch it. Any ideas? Thanks! CritterKindness

Re: Roadrunner relocation possible?

Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 9:35 am
by Jim Hatt
Hi Critter,

From many years ago, I have a faint memory of a company named "ACME" Products that sold a number of different devices and contraptions specifically designed for dealing with various types of Roadrunner problems.

(sorry I couldn't resist) :D

Jim

Re: Roadrunner relocation possible?

Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 9:55 am
by reptilist
Thank you for writing and welcome to the DUSA Wildlife forum...

In my opinion, the roadrunner was doing what comes naturally and that pretty much absolves it from judgement...Except that we humans in our subjective perceptions find such behavior objectionable. I feel that way about pet cats killing reptiles, song birds and small mammals...I also feel that way about ravens attacking baby tortoises...The only rationalized difference being that cats and ravens have been introduced into the natural habitats of their prey to the point of overwhelming it by their presence.

I have lots of birds and rabbits feasting in my yard and every now and then one will fall prey to a wild animal. I can't begrudge the natural order of things as predation keeps things in balance. Even the dang roadrunners who eat "my" spiny lizards are accepted as part time residents of "my turf"....Neighborhood kitty cats are not.

Back to your question...Re-establishing an adult roadrunner to a different environment would be inappropriate as he would then be competing with the other roadrunners in order to establish a new territory. He would not be privy to the resources of the new terrain, then possibly suffer and die as a result. I do a few reptile relocations myself, and have to consider those same factors...Essentially, we do not remove a reptile outside of it's territory (as we perceive it), but only as far as the nearest natural environment, within a mile at the most. With such an active critter as a roadrunner, I doubt that would be very effective.

My suggestion is to chalk it up to natural history and let it be. Otherwise, run out there and chase it off whenever you see it and maybe that will educate it to your liking.

Re: Roadrunner relocation possible?

Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 10:39 am
by critterkindness
Thank you gentlemen! Good info from both of you. :) I think I'm leaning toward running out into the yard, flapping my arms and hooting as an answer tho. :lol: I hadn't thought of the territorial implications of removal and don't want to do that. Oh, well, my neighbors are 5 acres away, so I will only scare the hair off the dogs with my Roadrunner Flap. :lol: Thanks...I think. ;)

Re: Roadrunner relocation possible?

Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 12:48 pm
by Jerry Feldner
Good answer, Terry. I was going to (get this) write the selfsame thing but you beat me to the punch.

Of course, critterkindness could always hire Wile E. Coyote... (How's that, Jim?)

Re: Roadrunner relocation possible?

Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 1:46 pm
by Jim Hatt
Jerry,

I think she's probably better off running out there and scaring him away like Terry said. I think "ACME" is out of business by now. Their stuff never worked anyway. :lol: