Red-tailed Hawk

This feather belongs to the Red-tailed Hawk, a large Buteo with a broad wingspan (up to 4.5 feet) and a characteristic brick-red tail in adults. These birds are known for their 'screaming' call often used in movies. The feather's bold banding helps break up the bird's silhouette when perched.

Base color of light gray-white to pale buff with distinct, broad chocolate-brown to dusky-brown horizontal bars (banding). The tip is solid dark brown. The pattern is typical of the secondaries found in many North American Buteos.

Tightly pennaceous and interlocked throughout the main vane, providing a stiff aerodynamic surface. The base of the feather (near the calamus) shows loose, plumulaceous barbs for insulation.

Smooth, stiff, and somewhat matte. The surface is durable to withstand the stresses of flight, with a slight waxy feel common in raptor plumage.

Broad, dark brown banding on a pale background; asymmetrical vane; large size; sturdy ivory-colored rachis.

Extremely versatile, found in open woodlands, prairies, agricultural fields, deserts, and urban parks. Requires high perches for hunting and tall trees or cliff ledges for nesting.

Ubiquitous throughout North America, ranging from central Alaska and Canada south through Mexico and into Central America. Northern populations are migratory.

Apex predator. They play a vital role in controlling rodent and rabbit populations. Their presence is a sign of a healthy, functioning ecosystem.

Red-shouldered Hawk feathers (smaller, narrower, darker bands), Broad-winged Hawk (shorter, different band spacing), and Great Horned Owl (which has a soft, fringed edge for silent flight).

The Red-tailed Hawk's raspy 'keeee-er' scream is almost always used in Hollywood films to represent any eagle or hawk, regardless of the species actually on screen.

Good condition. There is slight fraying at the base and a few separated barbs at the leading edge, but the vane remains mostly intact. Likely a naturally molted feather.