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Greater Roadrunner

Greater Roadrunner line art illustration (click image to enlarge)

Greater Roadrunner full color illustration (click image to enlarge)

Artist's notes:

The Greater Roadrunner was completed on 5.29.09. I had been meaning to draw one of these for some time as I feel a strong connection to the landscape they are generally found - the desert. I love seeing these birds dart across or along the highway when driving in Arizona. They really are one of the most symbolic animals of the desert. The drawing is based on a photo by Warren Lynn

Information about the Greater Roadrunner:

Roadrunners are two species of flightless birds that can be found in the arid open areas of North and Central America. They are members of the cuckoo family. Roadrunners generally range from about 18 to 24 inches long from the tip of the tail to the beak. As the name indicated they are fast runners and can top out at about 15 MPH. While they cannot sustain prolonged flight they will use their wings to become airborne to escape predators. They are opportunistic feeders and will eat whatever lizards and insects they are able to catch along with other birds, eggs as well as fruits and seeds. They will even attack and kill rattlesnakes given the chance. Roadrunners are monogamous and will mate for life. The roadrunner is the state bird of New Mexico.