Why the American Kestrel?

The name “Kestrel Consulting” came to us on a day of public service. Spring of 2023, we were headed to Shaker Village to pick up branches with volunteers after a windstorm. As we rode along the Kentucky River Palisades, Robbie’s love for birding made him keen to point out the American Kestrel. A bird of unique plumage and talents, we met our muse.

Sometimes called the “sparrow hawk,” the Kestrel is North America’s smallest falcon, yet it is known as a mighty hunter with an innate ability to survive in a diversity of conditions. Energy conserving and agile, the Kestrel typically hunts in wide variety (i.e., large insects, small lizards, mice, etc.) by scanning from wires, poles, and dead trees, but can also hone in on its target from the air. With such a broad skillset and palate, the Kestrel is an incredibly successful species, making it one of the most common falcons in North America.