Red-tailed Hawk (Buzzard)

This is a large, sturdy primary feather from a Red-tailed Hawk. The bird itself is a bulky raptor with a 4-foot wingspan, known for its cinnamon-red tail (in adults) and high-pitched 'keee-eee-ar' scream often used in movies.

Pale creamy white to light grey base with distinct dark brown or 'sepia' horizontal banding (bars). The banding is more pronounced on the trailing vane, becoming more solid towards the tip.

Densely packed pennaceous barbs on the majority of the vane for aerodynamic integrity; plumulaceous (downy) barbs at the base near the calamus for insulation.

Smooth, stiff, and somewhat waxy on the dorsal surface for wind resistance; matte and softer on the ventral surface.

Bold dark brown barring on a white/pale background, heavy asymmetry of the vanes, and a thick white rachis.

Found in a variety of open and semi-open areas, including grasslands, agricultural fields, woodland edges, and urban parks with tall perches.

Year-round resident across most of North America, from Alaska and Canada down to Central America and the West Indies.

Apex predator primarily feeding on rodents and reptiles, helping to control pest populations; an excellent indicator of ecosystem health.

Red-shouldered Hawk feathers (usually darker with more frequent, thinner white bands) and Ferruginous Hawk (typically paler with less distinct barring).

Red-tailed Hawks have keen eyesight, capable of spotting a mouse from 100 feet in the air. This species is often harassed by much smaller birds like crows and kingbirds.

Good condition; minimal wear on the trailing edge suggests it was molted recently. Slight separation of barbs midway up the vane.