Bald Eagle (American Eagle)

A magnificent large flight feather featuring a striking color gradient from dark brown to a snowy white base, indicative of an adult Bald Eagle. The bird itself is a large raptor with a distinctive white head and tail contrasting against a dark brown body

Dark brownish-black tip and vane transitioning into a rich chocolate brown middle, with a clean white base and a robust off-white/yellowish rachis

Tightly interlocked pennaceous vane with strong barbicels, no afterfeather, barbs intact and well-conditioned

Stiff, durable, smooth, with a matte finish and rigid vane structure designed for aerodynamic efficiency

Large size, robust pale yellowish rachis, dark brown distal portion transitioning sharply into a clean white base

Large bodies of open water such as lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and coastal areas with old-growth trees for nesting and perching

North America, ranging from Alaska and Canada down through the contiguous United States and into northern Mexico

Apex avian predator maintaining the health and balance of aquatic and wetland ecosystems by preying on fish, waterfowl, and scavenging carrion

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), whose flight feathers are generally darker overall without the clean white basal zone characteristic of adult Bald Eagles

Bald Eagles build the largest nests of any North American bird, sometimes weighing over two tons and used for decades

Good condition, fresh appearance, minimal wear along the vane edges, no obvious parasitic damage or fault bars