Cooper's Hawk (sometimes confused with Sharp-shinned Hawk)

This is a classic tail feather from a Cooper's Hawk, a medium-sized raptor known for its 'flap-flap-glide' flight pattern. The bird has blue-gray upperparts and a rufous-barred underbelly. The tail is long with a rounded end, which this feather's shape reflects.

Distinctive broad, dark brown/gray-brown horizontal bands (bars) alternating with lighter grayish-white bands. The tip shows a thin white terminal band, which is more prominent in Cooper's than Sharp-shinned Hawks.

Pennaceous throughout most of the vane with tightly interlocked barbs for flight stability; plumulaceous (downy) at the very base (calamus area) for insulation. Intact and well-defined barbs.

Firm, smooth, and slightly matte. The surface is designed to be aerodynamic and silent but lacks the specialized 'velvety' soften edges found in owls.

Broad, even dark banding; rounded tip; white terminal edge; size larger than 15cm (distinguishing it from Sharp-shinned Hawk).

Deciduous, mixed, and coniferous forests. Increasingly common in suburban areas and backyards where they hunt songbirds near feeders.

Widespread throughout North America, ranging from Southern Canada through most of the United States to Central Mexico. Northern populations are migratory.

Top-tier avian predator. They regulate songbird and small mammal populations and are indicators of healthy woodland and suburban ecosystems.

Sharp-shinned Hawk (smaller, usually less than 15cm, squared tail); Northern Goshawk (larger, more wavy/irregular zigzag banding).

Cooper's Hawks are apex predators of other birds. They were once nicknamed 'Chicken Hawks' and are highly adapted for high-speed chases through dense forest canopies.

Excellent condition. The feather appears freshly molted with very little wear on the edges and no visible fault bars (stress marks).