Kestrel

[JW_Halverson]

I've always been crazy about the western hemisphere's smallest member of the falcon family, the American Kestrel.  They inhabit the whole of both northern and southern continents and thrive even in city environments.  About the size of a robin, they eat mostly insects, but depending on local availability they will also take out mice and small birds.  They were once called a "sparrowhawk", but they are not hawks, but true falcons. 

Hendrix, the bird in the picture below is a male.  They are the only falcon in the western hemisphere you can tell males and females apart by coloration. Males have the gorgeous blue/grey wings, whereas a females wings would be the rusty brown color you see on the back.  In this photo he is mantling over the mouse he is eating on the perch. 

Anywho...I'm thinking out how to build a bow that captures this little guy's style.



I'm thinking bend in the handle, to make it more compact.  Thin limb tips for fast recovery, rapid arrow speed with lighter weight arrows.  And painting a colorful pattern on the back for sheer eyecandy. 

Anyone else have additional suggestions?

[Frawg]

Jw, that s a very beautiful pic. I read my side of the mountain many,many years ago and have had a bird of prey love every day since. A rawhide back with the Kestrels wing pattern colored beore sealing?
Matt

[JW_Halverson]

I have the whole series by Ms. Craighead.  Good books even with all the inaccuracies....especially aggravating since she and her two brothers are three of the finest ornithological experts in our times.

[seabass]

you know i love the birds.thanks for the pic Jdub.

[Badly Bent]

Those Kestrels really are beautiful JW. I live in town and its not uncommon to see one of these from time to time, probably more around
than what I see. Great idea on doing a bow to resemble the characteristics of these small falcons. Maybe inlay a small half round shinny
black stone somewhere into the bow to mimic an eye and be sure to tie on a feather somewhere also.
Greg

[JW_Halverson]

I have a full set of wing primaries and secondaries, as well as a set of tail feathers.  I keep them in case he breaks a one and I have to "imp" in a repair.  Something tells me I would find myself losing my hard won federal permit to keep this guy if I used those feathers on a fetish hanging from the grip!

[PrimitiveTim]

Those guys rock!  I see them sitting on the power lines along rural roads.  I heard they can take out doves!

[RyanY]

Something like this?

[Weylin]

Something like this?

  Is that for hang gliding?

[bubby]

i'm thinking it's got to have some curves to it, like a set back handle with flipped tips, kinda like a wing's spread profile, Bub,

[Scowler]

Cool photo and idea for a Kestral-inspired bow.  Perhaps angled geometric patterns in brown, grey, and white with black highlights.  A black circle at either end of the limbs, near the tips, to represent the Kestral's eyes.

[Buckeye Guy]

Blackhawk's set back handle re curved lever molly would be an excellent representation of the Sparrow Hawk !
He would be glad to help you at the classic I am sure !
Hope to see ya there!
Have fun and thanks for sharing !
Guy

[Pappy]

Beautiful bird.
   Pappy

[BowEd]

Great pic JW of that bird there.I always liked watching them do there thing out in the stubble fields as I was doing my field work.Great entertainment.In the fall they really get a lot of those big old grasshoppers.Maybe some type of gull wing profile type bow with the wings painted on the back maybe.You'd have to play with the colors a bit to get them right.Sounds like an artists type touch is needed.Great idea.

[mullet]

That's a cool little bird, pretty, JW. And it's kinda ironic, when my son finishes up in Germany he'll be leading up the Kestrel Project for Logos Technologies.