Bald Eagle (American Eagle)

This feather belongs to the Bald Eagle, a massive raptor famous for its white head and tail in adulthood. Juveniles are almost entirely dark brown, similar to the color of this flight feather. They are powerful fliers that soar on flat wings and use their large talons to snatch fish from the water surface.

Uniformly dark chocolate brown to blackish-brown. The ventral (underside) surface may show a slight silvery or greyish sheen. The rachis is often dark or yellowish-brown at the base.

Tightly interlocked pennaceous structure with robust barbicels (hooklets) ensuring a rigid, wind-resistant surface for powered flight.

Smooth, stiff, and somewhat matte. The surface is oily for water resistance and feels extremely rigid compared to most other bird species.

Large size, deep chocolate brown color, distinct notch (emargination) on the leading vane, and heavy, thick rachis.

Found near large bodies of open water with an abundance of fish, such as lakes, reservoirs, large rivers, and coastal estuaries.

Common across North America, from Alaska and Canada through the contiguous United States to northern Mexico.

Apex predator and scavenger. They play a crucial role in maintaining healthy fish and waterfowl populations and cleaning up carrion.

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) feathers are very similar but often show more mottling or a white base in juveniles; Turkey Vulture feathers have a lighter greyish sheen internally.

Bald Eagles build the largest nests of any North American bird, some reaching 13 feet deep and weighing over two tons.

The feather appears to be in excellent condition with minimal wear on the trailing edge, suggesting it may have been recently molted or was from a healthy adult.