American Kestrel - Page 2

**birder** · #11 10-01-2023, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Siwi

We have these in Europe too, although perhaps the colouring is different. They are easy to identify as they are smaller than other birds of prey but display the same hovering behaviour.

I would consider cutting the top of the head off and making this structure in two pieces. Providing the whole head as a single piece perhaps adds unwanted complexity, not least with the cutting out. Coming from aircraft modelling, it seems easier to glue the 'cylinder' part of the head and attach the crown, in the same way we would make fuselage sections and then add the nose or tail dome.

It actually goes together pretty easily, not at all like a petal nose of a plane model. Your Kestrel is actually why this bird is called a Kestrel although ours is smaller and brighter. When I learned the birds these were widely called "sparrowhawks" but it was confusing since the European bird by that name is an accipiter...

**birder** · #12 10-01-2023, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hornswoggler

The head turned out really nice. I think this will become an awesome bird.
Keep going!

Thank you for the encouragement

I am motivated to make more birds right now for some reason, and am really enjoying it.

**birder** · #13 10-01-2023, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Mash

Nice work Glen.
Colorful bird.

Thank Mike

It is super fun to make a pretty bird, I doubt I'll ever do a turkey vulture ha

**birder** · #14 10-07-2023, 11:56 AM

The feet with some edge painting with yellow and some acrylic black or sharpie. Holding the model over the perch in the way you like, to see how long the legs would be, supporting and looking from front and side to see if will look balanced. Add a bit of glue to hold the legs in the body at that length.

The center toe is bent under being sure is inside of outer toes, some glue is added to the feet and placed on the perch. Support there and let it dry. When dry add a small bit of superglue to where joins body from below to fix in that position. Glue down the toes a bit with superglue or white glue and there you have it!