Red-shouldered Hawk

This is a secondary flight feather from a Red-shouldered Hawk, a medium-sized raptor known for its 'blue-grey' back and rufous (reddish) barring on the breast. In flight, they show a distinctive translucent 'crescent' near the wingtips. They are smaller than Red-tailed Hawks and much more vocal, often giving a loud 'kee-aah' call.

Dark brown to charcoal-grey base with distinct, evenly spaced light-buff to white horizontal banding (bars). The bands are clean and well-defined, characteristic of the 'checkered' wing pattern seen in this species.

Tightly interlocked pennaceous barbs throughout most of the vane; plumulaceous (downy) structure at the very base near the calamus for insulation.

Smooth, stiff, and slightly glossy on the dorsal surface. The leading edge is firm to withstand air pressure during flight.

Evenly spaced dark and light banding; rounded flight feather tip; size consistent with a medium raptor; lack of the fine mottling seen in Great Horned Owls.

Deciduous and mixed woodlands, often near water sources like swamps, rivers, and flooded forests. Common in suburban areas with mature trees in the Southeast.

Resident throughout the Eastern United States and California; southern populations in North Carolina are largely non-migratory.

Mesopredator; they help control populations of snakes, frogs, and small rodents. Their presence indicates a healthy, mature forest-wetland ecosystem.

Broad-winged Hawk (smaller, fewer/thicker bands), Cooper's Hawk (longer/narrower shape), Red-tailed Hawk (usually lacks such uniform white/dark barring on secondaries).

Red-shouldered Hawks are highly territorial; they often return to the same nesting territory year after year, sometimes for decades. They are known to occasionally hunt from the same perches as Barred Owls, though at different times of day.

Excellent condition. The edges are crisp with minimal fraying, suggesting it was recently molted or from a healthy bird. No visible fault bars or parasite damage.

Southeast North Carolina