Red-shouldered Hawk
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Accipitriformes, Family: Accipitridae, Genus: Buteo, Species: Buteo lineatus · Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites) · Secondary flight feather (Remiges)
Species
Buteo lineatus
Feather Type
Secondary flight feather (Remiges)
Family
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
Shape
Broad and slightly asymmetrical with a rounded tip; the inner vane is wider than the outer vane, typical of secondary feathers designed for lift.
Size
Estimated 15-20 cm in length. This size is consistent with the secondary feathers of a medium-sized Buteo hawk.
Rarity
Common within its preferred wooded habitats, though often heard before it is seen.
Color & Pattern
Strongly contrasting alternating bands of dark brownish-black and crisp white/pale cream. The dark bands are wide and well-defined, a hallmark of the species' wing pattern.
Barb Structure
Tightly interlocked pennaceous barbs throughout most of the vane for flight stability, transitioning to a soft, plumulaceous base near the calamus.
Texture & Surface
Smooth and stiff to the touch with a slightly matte finish. The surface is designed to be wind-resistant and durable against environmental wear.
Description
This feather showcases the bold 'checkerboard' pattern of the Red-shouldered Hawk. The bird itself is medium-sized with a colorful reddish-brown breast and iconic translucent 'windows' near the wingtips visible during flight. Often recognized by its loud, piercing 'kee-aher' call.
Key Features
Bold, high-contrast black and white banding; broad, rounded shape; lack of the reddish tint found in Red-tailed Hawk secondaries.
Habitat
Found in deciduous or mixed woodlands, often near water sources such as rivers, swamps, and marshes.
Geographic Range
Year-round resident in the eastern United States and along the coast of California/Baja California; northern populations may migrate south during winter.
Condition Notes
Excellent condition with very little wear on the edges (marginal fraying), suggesting it was recently molted or dropped.
Interesting Facts
These hawks are highly vocal and territorial; they are known for returning to the same nesting territory year after year, sometimes for decades.
Ecological Role
An apex predator in woodland ecosystems, controlling populations of small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles.
Similar Species
Broad-winged Hawk feathers are similar but usually have fewer, thicker bands; Red-tailed Hawk feathers are typically more mottled and less sharply banded.