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Project Kestrel

projectkestrel.org

From $20/mo Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
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Spec score 7.9 #16 of 29 in AI Photo Culling Software

What it is

Project Kestrel organizes, reviews, and searches bird photographs, with tools for sorting bursts and identifying stronger frames. Its desktop app runs locally on Linux, macOS, and Windows without an account or internet connection; photos remain on the user’s machine unless an optional cloud or sharing feature is used. Kestrel groups high-speed bursts into scenes, detects and segments birds, then scores frames for noise, motion blur, and focus to sort sharper shots first. Detected birds can be tagged by species and family for searches across folders and outings. Automatic classification currently covers North American species, while manual tagging can cover birds worldwide. Ratings can be exported to Lightroom, Darktable, Capture One, and other editors. Perch allows users to upload an outing, add timeline notes, and share it. The desktop app is free and open source. The Apple App Store version is a 10.00 USD one-time purchase, while Cloud Compute includes 2,500 free images for every new account.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Project Kestrel organizes, culls, reviews, and helps search bird photography.Read 7 Oct 2026 · projectkestrel.org
Intended users
The maker describes Project Kestrel as a one-person project built for the developer's own bird photography.Read 7 Oct 2026 · projectkestrel.org
Bird detection
Its object-detection model locates and segments birds so background pixels do not affect quality scores.Read 7 Oct 2026 · projectkestrel.org
Cloud image handling
Cloud Compute says source images are deleted after analysis, with automatic cleanup and storage expiry safeguards if deletion fails.Read 7 Oct 2026 · projectkestrel.org
Cloud result retention
Cloud results are deleted when downloaded or after 30 days if they are not downloaded; job records retain counts and timestamps for billing.Read 7 Oct 2026 · projectkestrel.org
Editor integrations
Kestrel can export ratings for Lightroom, Darktable, Capture One, and other editors.Read 7 Oct 2026 · projectkestrel.org
Local privacy
The desktop app runs locally without requiring an account or internet connection, and photos stay on the user's machine unless an optional cloud or sharing feature is used.Read 7 Oct 2026 · projectkestrel.org
Perch sharing
Perch lets users upload an outing, add notes to its timeline, and share it with others.Read 7 Oct 2026 · projectkestrel.org
Scene grouping
It groups high-speed bursts into scenes so similar frames can be compared together.Read 7 Oct 2026 · projectkestrel.org
Sharpness scoring
A machine-learning model scores each frame for noise, motion blur, and focus, sorting the sharpest shots first.Read 7 Oct 2026 · projectkestrel.org
Species coverage
Automatic classification currently covers North American species; manual tagging can cover birds worldwide.Read 7 Oct 2026 · projectkestrel.org
Species search
Kestrel tags detected birds by species and family so users can search across folders and outings.Read 7 Oct 2026 · projectkestrel.org
Support and feedback
The download page asks users to send feedback through the button inside the app.Read 7 Oct 2026 · projectkestrel.org

Plans and prices

Cloud Compute — free allowance Free 2,500 images free for every new account; no card required. 2,500 images Read 7 Oct 2026 · projectkestrel.org
Project Kestrel desktop app Free Free and open source; always free. Windows and macOS downloads; Linux run from source Read 7 Oct 2026 · projectkestrel.org
Apple App Store version $10, paid once One-time purchase; includes automatic updates. macOS; same app as the free direct download Read 7 Oct 2026 · projectkestrel.org
Blue Jay $20 a month $20/mo 15,000 images / month Read 7 Oct 2026 · projectkestrel.org
Sandpiper $50 a month $50/mo 50,000 images / month Read 7 Oct 2026 · projectkestrel.org

Every Project Kestrel plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Desktop app runs locally without an account
  • Groups bursts into scenes for comparison
  • Exports ratings to several photo editors
  • Manual species tagging covers birds worldwide

Limits

  • Automatic classification covers North American species
  • Cloud results expire after 30 days if not downloaded
  • App Store version costs 10.00 USD once

Who it suits

Kestrel suits bird photographers who want local tools to sort, review, and search image collections. It also fits users who want editor exports or optional outing sharing.

Verdict

Project Kestrel combines bird detection, frame scoring, and species search with local desktop use. Automatic classification is region-limited, while manual tagging extends coverage worldwide.

Where Specifiction places it

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