Roadrunners can run surprisingly fast for birds that can still fly. In general, they commonly reach speeds around 15 to 20 miles per hour on the ground, with the fastest measurements reported near 25 to 26 miles per hour for full sprints. They are among the fastest flying birds when running, because they can both run quickly and take short flights when needed, though flight speeds are much lower than their sprinting pace. For quick reference:
- Typical running speed: about 15–20 mph (24–32 km/h) [as noted by multiple field guides and wildlife resources].
- Reported sprint speed: up to roughly 25–26 mph (40–42 km/h) in short bursts on the ground [commonly cited in popular science and wildlife outlets].
- Flight: roadrunners fly only briefly and usually to reach perches; their flight is not used for sustained speed.
If you’d like, I can compare roadrunner speeds to a few other fast-running birds or provide a short, cite-backed summary from specific field guides.
