Red-tailed Hawk

A classic secondary feather from the most iconic North American hawk. Red-tailed Hawks are large raptors with broad, rounded wings and short, wide tails. Adults are known for their brick-red tail feathers, while juveniles have banded brown tails. This specific feather likely belongs to an immature bird or is a secondary feather from a light-morph adult.

Pale white to creamy base with distinct, dark brown horizontal bands (bars). The bands are slightly irregular and concentrated more toward the distal end of the feather. The underside is noticeably paler with translucent banding.

Pennaceous and tightly interlocked throughout most of the vane for aerodynamic efficiency, with plumulaceous (fluffy) downy barbs at the base of the calamus.

Smooth, stiff, and somewhat matte surface. The leading edge is slightly more rigid than the trailing edge to withstand wind pressure during flight.

Distinctive dark brown banding on a white/cream background, broad vane width, and a thick, sturdy white rachis characteristic of Buteo flight feathers.

Open country, including grasslands, parks, woodlands, and agricultural fields; also commonly seen perched on telephone poles along highways.

Resident throughout North America, from central Alaska and Canada south to Panama and the West Indies.

Top-tier predator that controls rodent and small mammal populations. They are vital ecological indicators of environmental health in both rural and suburban landscapes.

Red-shouldered Hawk (smaller, darker/tighter banding), Rough-legged Hawk (more extensive dark patches), and juvenile Northern Goshawk (more wavy, thinner bands).

Red-tailed Hawks have incredible eyesight, allowing them to see a mouse from 100 feet in the air. Their iconic scream is often used in movies as a sound effect for Bald Eagles, whose actual vocalizations are much chirpier.

Good condition. Minimal wear is visible at the tip, suggesting it was recently molted. Some separation of the barbs is visible but can be repaired by 'zipping' them back together with fingers.