Cooper's Hawk

These are tail feathers from a Cooper's Hawk, a agile forest hunter. The bird is medium-sized with broad, rounded wings and a long tail. Adults have a dark 'cap' on the head, blue-gray back, and reddish-barred underparts.

Heavy dark brown or charcoal-gray horizontal banding (bars) against a light gray or off-white background; the tip may show a thin white terminal band.

Pennaceous and tightly interlocked toward the tip and outer vane for flight stability, becoming plumulaceous (downy) at the base for insulation.

Smooth and firm on the pennaceous portion with a matte finish; soft, downy texture at the base near the quill.

Distinctive wide dark bands (typically 3-4 visible) and a rounded tip distinguish it from the Sharp-shinned Hawk, which typically has a squared-off tail.

Found in various wooded habitats, including deciduous, mixed, and coniferous forests, as well as leafy suburban parks and backyards.

Year-round resident throughout much of the United States and Mexico; northern populations migrate to the southern U.S. and Central America for winter.

Apex predator of small to medium-sized birds and mammals; helps regulate prey populations in both forest and urban ecosystems.

Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) feathers are very similar but smaller with narrower bands; Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) feathers are larger and more heavily mottled.

Cooper's Hawks are specialized bird hunters; they are famous for their maneuverability through dense brush and are often seen raiding bird feeders.

Excellent condition; the vanes are intact with minimal wear or fraying, likely freshly molted.