Distinctively shaped, with long tail, long stocky legs, ragged crest, and relatively long bill. Adult is streaky brown, black, and buffy overall, with black tail and flight feathers, well-defined streaks on neck, blackish crest, and patches of blue and red bare skin behind eye. Sexes are similar.

Length: 58 (cm) Wingspan: 57 (cm)

Voice:

Dove-like cooing notes in slow series.

Habitat:

Arid, open environments; deserts, suburbs, agricultural lands, scrubby lowlands.

Behavior:

Runs along ground, rarely flies. Sings from elevated perch. Nest is a platform of sticks placed low in a tree or shrub. As its name indicates, often seen crossing roads.

Feeding:

Catches prey by foot on the ground. Carnivorous; eats a variety of insects, snakes, lizards, rodents, young birds, and other small animals.