Cooper's Hawk

This feather belongs to the Cooper's Hawk, a medium-sized forest hawk known for its long tail and rounded wings. Adults have a steely blue-gray back and reddish barring on the underparts, while juveniles have brown backs and vertical brown streaks on the chest.

Three to four distinct dark brown horizontal bands across a creamy-white to light gray background. This barred pattern is diagnostic of many Accipiters.

Pennaceous at the distal end (upper half) where barbs are interlocked; highly plumulaceous at the proximal end (base) for insulation. Barbs are intact without significant fault bars.

Smooth and firm texture on the distal pennaceous part; extremely soft, fluffy, and down-like at the base. Matte appearance with no iridescence.

Bold, dark brown horizontal banding on a light background; large downy base relative to the feather length; white rachis.

Found in various woodland types, primarily deciduous and mixed forests. Frequently adapted to suburban areas with mature trees and bird feeders.

Year-round resident throughout much of the United States and Mexico; northern populations in Canada migrate south for the winter.

Top-tier avian predator. They regulate populations of smaller birds and help maintain the health of forest and urban ecosystems.

Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) feathers are nearly identical but generally smaller; Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) feathers have more orange-brown tones and different banding ratios.

Cooper's Hawks are specialized bird-hunters. They are incredibly agile and can fly through dense vegetation at high speeds to catch smaller birds mid-air.

Excellent condition. The feather appears freshly molted with no signs of sun-bleaching, wear, or parasitic damage (mallophaga holes).