Red-shouldered Hawk

This feather belongs to the Red-shouldered Hawk, a medium-sized raptor known for its striking rufous (reddish) shoulder patches and banded tail. They are vocal hunters, often heard shouting a distinctive 'kee-aah' call. In flight, they show a translucent 'window' near the wingtips.

Distinctive high-contrast 'checkerboard' pattern. Features bold, dark brown to blackish-brown bands alternating with crisp white or pale cream bands. The dorsal surface is vibrant, while the ventral side is more muted.

Mostly pennaceous and tightly interlocked for flight efficiency, transitioning to soft, plumulaceous (downy) barbs near the superior umbilicus (base) for insulation.

The surface is smooth and somewhat stiff to the touch, with a slight matte-to-semi-gloss finish. It lacks the velvety 'silent' fringe found in owls, indicating a hawk species.

Bold, equal-width dark and white banding; broad, rounded profile; absence of the fine 'serrations' seen in owls; stiff rachis.

Deciduous or mixed woodlands, often near water sources such as rivers, swamps, or wooded wetlands. They prefer forested areas with open understories for hunting.

Common across the Eastern United States, extending into Southern Canada, and a disjunct population resides along the coast of California and Baja California.

Generalist predator; they control populations of small mammals, reptiles (snakes), and amphibians (frogs). They are important indicators of healthy riparian woodland ecosystems.

Broad-winged Hawk (shorter, usually fewer/wider bands) and Red-tailed Hawk (lack the crisp white-on-dark banding on secondaries). Immature Cooper's Hawks have narrower, brown-on-tan banding.

Red-shouldered Hawks are highly territorial; they often return to the same nesting territory year after year, sometimes using the same nest for decades with annual repairs.

Fair to Good. There is some separation of the barbs (zipper effect) and slight fraying at the tip, suggesting it was a naturally molted feather that spent some time on the ground.