Ostrich Colored Racing Stripes

Ostriches are the tallest, and heaviest of all birds. They cannot fly, but they can run extremely fast. How fast can an ostrich run? In short bursts an ostrich running has been clocked at 60 miles per hour, almost 100 km. They have also been seen jogging for long distances at a more comfortable 30 mph, 50 km. Native to Africa, ostriches have a high tolerance for heat, and like camels, they can survive in areas with scarce water resources.

When I began this serigraph, I envisioned brown racing stripes, (the ostriches) on a desert colored background. I did not realize until I started working on this serigraph, that male and female ostriches are colored very differently. The male ostriches have contrasting black or dark brown and white plumage, probably for display purposes, while the females are a more muted brown, so that they are less obvious to potential predators.