Female American Kestrel Illustration- A Symbol to Spread Research and Conservation
by Bryce W. Robinson
Female American Kestrel- Falco sparverius. 11×17″ prismacolor on bristol
I’ve been on an American Kestrel binge lately, as I’ve illustrated three birds this winter. I’d like to utilize this binge to promote some great work happening concerning this species here in the western U.S. I illustrated the female Kestrel shown above for one of my peers, Alexandra Anderson, who just completed her master’s project studying the wintering habits of this common falcon. Congratulations on a great project well done Allie.
Here in Boise, Idaho, there is no shortage of research being conducted on our local sparverius population. Dr. Julie Heath at Boise State University has been researching this population for the past 15 years. She has multiple students working on various projects detailing the effects of system change on the kestrel, and for good reason. A recent publication from Dr. Heath’s research reports shorter migration distances resulting in an advancement in timing of nesting due to rises in average winter temperatures (Heath et al. 2012). The game is changing for the kestrel in the west, lets just hope we can understand this change, and how we can manage any negative implications.
The Peregrine Fund, also located here in Boise, has a project devoted to American Kestrel conservation. The American Kestrel Partnership is a network program focused on nest box establishment and rehabilitation to help facilitate a future for this colorful bird. I encourage those interested to get involved by first visiting their website here. On the homepage, you’ll see a revolving screen featuring many incredible Kestrel photos, including images by my friend Mia Mcpherson. She takes amazing photographs of kestrels, and more. Take a look at her website as well.
HawkWatch International in Salt Lake City, Utah has a Kestrel Nest box program, which contributes to The Peregrine Fund’s American Kestrel Partnership, with some added angles. I appreciate HWI, as they involve the public through their citizen science program. Their kestrel project is a great place to get involved, and be a part of an important movement to further our understanding and the future of the colorful and charasmatic American Kestrel.
Literature:
Heath, J. A., K. Steenhof, and M.A. Foster. 2012. Shorter migration distances associated with higher winter temperatures suggest a mechanism for advancing nesting phenology of American Kestrels Falco sparverius. Journal of Avian Biology 43(4) 376-384
Websites:
http://kestrel.peregrinefund.org
http://www.hawkwatch.org/news-and-events/latest-news/405-american-kestrel-citizen-science-project
ornithologi.com 
Bryce, you captured the wild beauty of the female kestrel! They are such amazing little falcons and won my heart over many years ago.
I too hope we can help these falcons out and worry about the population decline in many areas.
I’m glad they won your heart over Mia. We’ve all benefited from your photographs of these falcons. I hope both you and Ron understand that you are doing great work yourselves, as the first step for instilling a conservation ethic is a connection, something that your images facilitate so well.
Bryce, Beautiful drawing and wonderful write-up on the plight of the kestrel and some of the efforts meant to help them out. Well done on both counts!
I appreciate it Ron!