I grew up in Texas seeing roadrunners, and have also lived around them in the mountains of Southern California. They have always been a favorite of mine. As a youngster in Texas, I recall them being called by the nickname “Paisano”. A couple from Tucson, Arizona commissioned this bird. Their home is in the desert, and they see them regularly in their yard. I was able to get a sample of desert rocks from the Tucson area with a variety of colors and textures, so that the were carved and painted replicas complemented those on the bird.