Red-tailed Hawk

This feather showcases the classic 'barred' pattern of a Red-tailed Hawk's wing. The bird itself is a large raptor with broad, rounded wings and a short, wide tail. While adults have the iconic cinnamon-red tail, their wing feathers like this one remain mottled brown and white for camouflage while perched and aerodynamically efficient while soaring.

Strong horizontal banding or barring. Features alternating bands of dark chocolate brown and a lighter buff/creamy tan. The tip is dark brown with a thin white terminal edge.

Pennaceous and tightly interlocked for most of the vane to resist air pressure during flight; plumulaceous (downy) at the very base for insulation.

Smooth and stiff on the upper surface with a slight semi-gloss finish. The trailing edge is softer than the leading edge to reduce noise during flight.

Distinctive wide dark brown bands; broad, rounded vane shape; stiff rachis; and the specific buff-colored ground tone typical of Buteo hawks.

Extremely versatile; found in open woodlands, agricultural fields, grasslands, desert scrub, and increasingly in urban and suburban parks with tall trees for nesting.

Resident or breeding throughout most of North America, from central Alaska and Canada south to Panama and the West Indies.

Apex predator; plays a vital role in controlling rodent and rabbit populations. Their presence is a good indicator of a healthy small-mammal biomass in the area.

Red-shouldered Hawk (smaller, sharper black/white contrast), Cooper's Hawk (more elongated, different banding spacing), and Great Horned Owl (softer, serrated edges with velvety texture).

The 'screech' used in Hollywood movies for almost every eagle or hawk is actually the recorded call of a Red-tailed Hawk. They are also known to hunt in pairs to corner agile prey like squirrels.

Fair to Good. Visible 'fault bars' (translucent lines across the feather) suggest periods of nutritional stress during the feather's growth. There is some ruffling/separation of the barbs near the base.