The lesser roadrunner (Geococcyx velox) is a large, long-legged bird that is a member of the cuckoo family, Cuculidae.

[3] The crown, crest and neck of the lesser roadrunner are black with a bronze glow and small light brown spots.

The plumage of the upper body is dark brown with light speckles and lightens to maroon towards the rump, and its breast is white.

The area behind the eye extends to a narrow band that turns into a bright red color on the neck, which is mostly covered by feathers.

[4] It overlaps with the range of the greater roadrunner in a small area in the states of Sonora, Sinaloa, Jalisco, and Michoacán.

[9] They cock their tail and droop their wings, then turn their back towards the sun, raising the scapular feathers and exposing their black skin which absorbs heat.

[13][7] The lesser roadrunner builds its nest in a low tree, a thorn bush or an Opuntia cactus, about 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) off the ground.

[7][6] Their nests are smaller than those of the greater roadrunner, but are stronger and more compact, built in the shape of a cup with sturdy grass stems and twigs, with a diameter of c. 14.5 cm (5.7 in).