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Roadrunners quickly learn to expect food from people. In Borrego Springs, California, we offer them little balls of raw hamburger. Eventually, they make their "rattle call" to tell you to come out on the porch to feed them another dollop. I made a nice video of their courtship and mating behavior, both of which are full of classic ritualized behavior. You can find it here: https://studio.youtube.com/video/-TIy1moCUT8/edit

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author

Outstanding video! Thanks for sharing.

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Your link wouldn't work for me. I think this is the one: https://youtu.be/-TIy1moCUT8?si=C7P_mbgEN7ZemCyv

Great video! Glad you showed it slowed down so we could see the female snatch that treat. The post coital dance was cute.

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Glad you caught that. I was using the link for editing. The post coital dance is my favorite part. People also have polite ways of saying goodbye.

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Good profile of a great bird. I totally <3 them and am always happy to encounter them. As for "posing" for photos, I don't know if you were kidding or not, but I swear that one did truly pose for me one day when I had my camera out. S/he jumped up on a stump just a few feet from me, and turned this way and that so I could catch every angle. This was at a friend's place in Joshua Tree, California, where the bird was know to come by nearly daily at about the same time. Such predictable routines seem to be characteristic of the fine bird.

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Dec 21, 2023Liked by David B. Williams

For a fun satirical read about the coyote and acme co.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1990/02/26/coyote-v-acme

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author

Absolutely brilliant. Ian Frazier at his best.

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Dec 21, 2023Liked by David B. Williams

Miniature velociraptor -- and smart to boot. Sheez.

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Good article but the title threw me off for a minute. Was expecting a snake attacking a Roadrunner!

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