Red-shouldered Hawk

This feather belongs to a medium-sized hawk known for its vibrant rufous 'shoulders' and strongly banded tail. The bird overall has heavily barred underparts and a distinctive screaming 'kee-aah' call.

Alternating wide, dark brownish-grey bands and narrower cream to white bands. The tip typically features a pale terminal band. Dorsal surface is more vibrant than the ventral surface.

Pennaceous throughout most of the vane for structural integrity, with a small plumulaceous section at the base (superior umbilicus) for insulation.

Smooth, stiff, and somewhat matte. The surface is designed for wind resistance and durability during flight.

Distinctive 'checkerboard' banding with narrow white bands and wider dark bands; slightly smaller and more slender than Red-tailed Hawk feathers.

Deciduous and mixed woodlands, often near water sources such as rivers, swamps, or marshes; also adapts to wooded suburban areas.

Resident throughout the eastern United States and along the coast of California and northern Mexico; northern populations may migrate slightly south.

Top-tier predator that controls populations of small mammals, reptiles (especially snakes), and amphibians. Conservation status is 'Least Concern'.

Broad-winged Hawk (shorter, wider white bands) and Coopers Hawk (more rounded feather tips and gray/brown banding).

Red-shouldered Hawks are highly territorial; they often return to the same nesting territory for many years, sometimes even using the same nest.

Excellent condition; the edges are crisp with minimal fraying, suggesting a relatively recent molt from a healthy individual.