Kestrel

Medium: Wood

Did you know – the quick and agile American Kestrel is actually the smallest falcon in all of North America? On average, the Kestrel weighs three to six ounces; around the same as 34 pennies. Kestrels can also see colors invisible to the human eye, such as ultraviolet light, greatly assisting in their hunting and survival.

Kestrels are also known as swift fliers with incredible aerobatic abilities. The tiny falcons are expert hoverers. Like a helicopter in mid-air, Kestrels flap their wings with vigorous speed while maneuvering their tail to stay in one spot while they search for their meal. Once spotted, they perform a brisk dive deep to the ground and pounce upon their prey.

Surprisingly, one of the most important uses of the Kestrel is in Falconry. Considered a beginner’s bird due to its petite size and weight, the Kestrel’s role in the early stages of a career or hobbyist Falconer is imperative. Still, with its marvelous speed and aggression, a highly skilled Falconer can extract incredible performances from the agile animal.

In Steve Madsen’s shockingly detailed sculpture, the bird is whimsically caught in the middle of preening its own feather. It’s Madsen’s eye for realism that sets his work apart in the world of bird carving. The meticulous and precise feather work is shocking. It’s no wonder the eclectic artist has won, place or shown in over 300 bird carving competitions across the world.