Roadrunners

[AndyWayOutWest]

I have a roadrunner that frequents my backyard and even ran up on me the other day while I was on the back porch grilling. I thought about it for a minute and then tried to look it up on th TPWD website but had no luck. Are they a huntable bird? Not that I could actually shoot one with my bow, but I could not find the answer. Anybody know?

I don't really know. Here's one from this weekend.

[Hot4huntin]

I have one that hangs out at my feeder trying to catch all the other birds there. Pretty cool to watch.

They are protected:

ENDANGERED, THREATENED, AND OTHER PROTECTED NONGAME SPECIES
It is unlawful for any person to hunt (see Definitions - Hunt) threatened, endangered, or protected nongame species. To sell or purchase goods made from threatened or endangered species, proper documentation must accompany the goods. For a complete list of threatened and endangered species, and regulations relating to breeding threatened and endangered species, please call (800) 792-1112 (menu 5).

Protected Birds: Hawks, owls, eagles, and all other nongame birds and songbirds (except for the few unprotected birds listed below) are protected by various state and federal laws and may not be killed, taken from the nest, picked up, or possessed for any reason, and their feathers may not be possessed or sold. Arts and crafts may not include these protected species under any circumstances.

Unprotected Birds:
The only birds not protected by any state or federal law are European starlings, English sparrows, feral rock doves (common pigeon - Columba livia) and Eurasian collared-doves; these species may be killed at any time, their nests or eggs destroyed, and their feathers may be possessed.
Yellow-headed, red-winged, rusty, or Brewer's blackbirds and all grackles, cowbirds (does not include cattle egret), crows, or magpies may be controlled without a federal or state depredation permit when found committing or about to commit depredations on ornamental or shade trees, agricultural crops, livestock, or wildlife, or when concentrated in numbers and in a manner that constitutes a health hazard or other nuisance.

Bats: May not be hunted, killed, possessed, purchased or sold; however, bats may be moved, trapped, or killed if inside or on a building occupied by people. A person may transport a bat for the purpose of laboratory testing if there is a rabies concern.

[BrandonA]

They are Awesome birds. They kill rattlesnakes!!!

[Coon]

Why is it illegal to posess a feather from a protected bird? My daughter finds feathers all the time and wants to keep them for crafts.


Dave

[jerp]

This might work great for squashing a roadrunner from a high cliff as it passes in the canyon below. (just make sure you are not holding it above your head when you re-hydrate it!)

[ken]

One day at a lease we had in South Texas in the 80s there was an illegal alien that had a live roadrunner with a piece of string tied to the birds leg and the other end tied to a water cooler. I didn't speak enough spanish to find out how he caught it but understood enough spanish to know it was dinner.

Like Hot4Huntin explained, Birds are either game birds or unprotected birds which can be hunted. All other birds are protected, threatened, or endangered and cannot be hunted. The roadrunner is protected.

[hntndawg]

They are Awesome birds. They kill rattlesnakes!!!

I seen them kill quail, run out and pick off the last one in a covey, and again, and again. I have never seen them kill a rattlesnake...I personally think they are worthless.

[Artos]

Agreed....

I seen them kill quail, run out and pick off the last one in a covey, and again, and again. I have never seen them kill a rattlesnake...I personally think they are worthless.

...they will eat EVERY quail egg in the nest.

Wouldn't say they are worthless as I do understand they will eat small rattlers but I think all animals need to stay in check....ifyou are over run w/ Road runners, you quail population will start to suffer.

I hate those darn water turkey's / camarants (spelling) They can eat a lot of fish out of a small pond in no time.

[Encinal]

...they will eat EVERY quail egg in the nest.

Wouldn't say they are worthless as I do understand they will eat small rattlers but I think all animals need to stay in check....ifyou are over run w/ Road runners, you quail population will start to suffer.

I hate those darn water turkey's / camarants (spelling) They can eat a lot of fish out of a small pond in no time.

You do understand that killing roadrunners could not possibly make a difference... You are going to have quail in good years... and not have quail in bad years... Killing every roadrunner you see isnt going to make you have any more quail in bad years...

[Gerald S]

They're just part of the circle of life.

[Guardian Reaper]

Had a pair that nested across the street from my house in a wooded area 6 or 7 years ago. They would both leave and retrieve food for the juvenile. They dragged up some pretty wild snacks. Every now and then they would walk up to the carport and look and see what I was up to and wander around some. I guess they knew I wasn't going to hurt them and they were neat to watch.