What It Could Mean If You’re Seeing More Roadrunners Lately

When I stepped outside on my front porch this morning, I was greeted by four of the cutest roadrunners speeding through my yard, probably searching for bugs.

I was shocked because, technically, we're still in the middle of winter. From my experience, roadrunners like to stay cooped up during the wintertime. It seemed odd for them to be out so soon, and for so many of them to already be around.

Just like there's a belief about seeing multiple cardinals nearby, I wondered if there was some hidden meaning about roadrunners.

Some Native American tribes consider roadrunners "lucky."

If you're seeing a lot of roadrunners, or even just a few that never seem to leave, then maybe luck is on your side. According to Nicky Boyette with Eureka News, there's an Apache legend about roadrunners being chosen as the natural leaders of all of the birds.

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"They considered the oriole, mockingbird, and bluejay before realizing the roadrunner was their natural leader because of the courage, speed, and its ability to shift directions to grasp new opportunities," Boyette wrote.

@jleej218 Came across this guy taking in the sun ☀️ kept the music choice chosen for me 😆 #roadrunner #goodluck ♬ I Do Whatever The Fuck I Want - Nick Hustles

That could be why many tribes have considered roadrunners to be lucky and symbols of strength, speed, and endurance. Now I wonder - does seeing several of them at once mean that my luck is increasing?

How Can You Find Road Runners in Oklahoma?

If you want to see them for yourself, I would suggest looking in wooded, quiet places outside of city limits. Although roadrunners are known to be curious, and some will approach people, they're not likely nesting nearby unless you see them hanging around.

Since they are desert-loving creatures, you'll have more luck finding them in dry areas "with little brush to slow them down," according to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC).

Fun fact: roadrunners can't be enticed to your yard with seeds because they're omnivorous. They actually prefer snakes, reptiles, mice, and small prey, rather than seeds and plants. They might look sweet and docile, but they're actually very skillful hunters.

What should you do if you see a roadrunner nearby?

Honestly, nothing. Just watch and observe. They're very flighty birds (ironically, they prefer to run instead of flying), so quick and sudden movements might scare them off more quickly.

@thekrattbrothers Have you ever seen a real-life roadrunner?! #roadrunner #wildkratts #naturelover #learnontiktok ♬ original sound - The Kratt Brothers

But if you notice that they might be staying around a certain area, you could investigate to see if they've nested. If so, leave the area undisturbed. Roadrunners are some pretty relaxed "roommates," if you will. You leave them alone, they'll leave you alone, and everyone can exist together.

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