Red-tailed Hawk
Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Chordata; Class: Aves; Order: Accipitriformes; Family: Accipitridae; Genus: Buteo; Species: Buteo jamaicensis
Family: Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Allies)
- Shape
- Broad and slightly asymmetrical with a rounded, blunt tip; the trailing vane is wider than the leading vane, typical of secondary flight feathers.
- Size
- Estimated 7-9 inches (18-23 cm) in length. This size is consistent with the inner secondary feathers of an adult or large juvenile Red-tailed Hawk.
- Rarity
- Common; the Red-tailed Hawk is the most widespread and frequently seen large hawk in North America.
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Description
This is a secondary wing feather from a Red-tailed Hawk, likely an immature bird or a lighter-morph adult. The bird itself is a large raptor with a 4-foot wingspan, known for its broad, rounded wings and iconic cinnamon-red tail in adults. They are often seen soaring in wide circles or perched on telephone poles scanning for small mammals.
Colour & Pattern
Pale cream to off-white base color with distinct broad, dark brown horizontal bands (bars). The bands are slightly irregular and exhibit a 'mottled' look within the brown pigment. The underside (ventral) is significantly paler than the upper (dorsal) surface.
Barb Structure
Mostly pennaceous and tightly interlocked for flight efficiency; the base exhibits some plumulaceous (downy) barbs for insulation. Barbules are well-developed with hooklets.
Texture & Surface
The surface is matte and slightly stiff. The leading edge is firmer to withstand wind pressure, while the trailing edge and base feel softer and more flexible.
Key Features
Broad width, blunt tip, and the characteristic 'bold banding' on a cream background are diagnostic for Buteo hawks, specifically the Red-tailed Hawk's secondary flight feathers.
Habitat
Extremely versatile: found in open woodlands, agricultural fields, grasslands, desert edges, and increasingly in urban and suburban parklands.
Geographic Range
Widespread resident across North America, from central Alaska and Canada south through Mexico and Central America. Northern populations are migratory.
Ecological Role
Apex predator and key regulator of rodent and rabbit populations. They serve as an important indicator of environmental health and ecosystem balance.
Similar Species
Red-shouldered Hawk (smaller, darker/tighter banding), Cooper's Hawk (narrower, more rounded tail feathers), and Great Horned Owl (softer, 'furry' serrated edges).
Interesting Facts
The 'screech' of a Red-tailed Hawk is so iconic and 'wild' that Hollywood movies almost always use its recording for any eagle or hawk shown on screen, regardless of the species shown.
Condition Notes
Good condition; some minor fraying at the tip and edges suggests the feather was naturally molted. No significant fault bars or parasitic damage is visible.