Kestrelwing

"I believe my leader was wrong, but he won't condemn helpless kits to die. They will have a future in ThunderClan, and so will you, Birdflight."

— Kestrelwing to Birdflight when SkyClan is banished in Firestar's Quest, page 6

Kestrelwing
The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation.
Affiliations
Last known:	ThunderClan
Names
Medicine cat:	Kestrelwing
Book appearances
Living	Cloudstar's Journey, Firestar's Quest, Battles of the Clans
Living	Cloudstar's Journey, Firestar's Quest, Battles of the Clans

Kestrelwing is a dark brown tabby tom.

Kestrelwing is an ancient ThunderClan medicine cat under the leadership of Redstar in the forest territories. When SkyClan was banished from the forest, Kestrelwing did not approve of his leader's choice and offered Cloudstar's mate, Birdflight, a place in ThunderClan with her kits, Spottedkit and Gorsekit, who were too young to travel.

History

In the Super Editions

Firestar's Quest

Birdflight: "Cloudstar. Our kits are too small to make a long journey. I'll stay here with them, if any Clan will have us."

Kestrelwing: "You will all be welcome in ThunderClan."

^{Firestar's Quest, page 6}

When SkyClan is banished from the forest by the other Clans, he offers Birdflight and her kits a place to stay in ThunderClan, as they are unable to leave with the rest of SkyClan because the kits are too young. Cloudstar, Birdflight's mate, challenges Kestrelwing's motives, asking if he is sure that his kits will be welcome in ThunderClan after Redstar told SkyClan they must leave. Kestrelwing tells him that he does not support Redstar's decision and cannot allow kits to die. He then promises Cloudstar that Birdflight and her kits will have a future in ThunderClan. As SkyClan is leaving, Kestrelwing promises Cloudstar that he will take good care of his mate and his kits for him.

In the Novellas

Cloudstar's Journey

Kestrelwing is mentioned, not by name, at a Gathering, when Fawnstep pulls Cloudstar aside and tells him all the medicine cats have had dreams about SkyClan being destroyed by the Twoleg monsters. When SkyClan is about to be driven out, Birdflight says that she cannot go because her kits are too small and young. Kestrelwing steps forward, telling her that she is welcome in ThunderClan, and she agrees to join. He tells Cloudstar that he will look after her and the kits.

In the Field Guides

Battles of the Clans

Kestrelwing: "Excuse me, Redstar, but are you going to stand there bleeding or would you like some cobweb on that wound?"

Redstar: "Enough! See to the others first."

^{Battles of the Clans, pages 151-152}

Kestrelwing treats the cats who went with the battle patrol after ThunderClan fights with SkyClan over territory. Once he reaches Redstar, he tries to put a cobweb on his wound, but Redstar refuses treatment until all his warriors are seen to. Kestrelwing steps away, muttering about how Clan leaders evidently have blood to spare. After the wounds are dealt with, the tired medicine cat shows Redstar the stars and points out how they are especially bright that night. He tells his leader that they won the battle with the blessing of their ancestors, and that Redstar is a hero in the stars.

Character pixels

Main images

The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation. Medicine Cat Version

Alternate images

The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation. Alternative Medicine Cat Version

Appearances

• Cloudstar's Journey
• Firestar's Quest (First appearance)
• Battles of the Clans

Trivia

Mistakes

• In Battles of the Clans, he is mistakenly described as gray.

Continuity

The following information is from sources considered non-canon, retconned, or from adapted material.

• On Vicky's Facebook, Kestrelwing has yellow eyes.

Quotes

Kestrelwing: "Have you seen the sky?"

Redstar: "StarClan approves, doesn't it?"

^{Battles of the Clans, page 152}