Broad-winged Hawk (also known as the Broad-winged Buteo)

This specimen is a tail feather (rectrix) from an adult Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus). Broad-winged Hawks are small, compact raptors with broad wings and short tails. Adults possess broad, sharp black-and-white tail bands that make them easily recognizable both in flight and from dropped tail feathers. Gamboa, Panama sits directly along one of the world's most concentrated raptor migration routes.

Bold alternating wide bands of dark brownish-black and crisp off-white/pale cream. Features a broad central white band bordered by broad black bands, which is iconic for adult Broad-winged Hawks.

Densely packed pennaceous structure throughout the main body of the vane with firm interlocked barbs and hooklets; slight plumulaceous structure near the calamus base.

The rachis is rigid, light tan/cream at the basal calamus, darkening to dark brown/black along the upper shaft through the dark vane segments. Barbs are tightly set at a consistent upward angle.

Smooth, firm, and flat with a matte to slightly satiny sheen on the dorsal surface, providing structural stability required for steering in flight.

Tail (Rectrix). Rectrices are characterized by a strong central stiff rachis, symmetrical or nearly symmetrical broad vanes, and distinct transverse banding patterns.

Distinct broad, clean-cut alternating black and white tail bands of nearly equal width; medium size relative to larger hawks like the Red-tailed Hawk or Zone-tailed Hawk; strong straight central rachis.

Dense tropical and subtropical humid forests during wintering in Panama (such as Gamboa and Soberania National Park); deciduous or mixed forests during North American breeding grounds.

Breeds across eastern North America and parts of Canada; migrates long distances in huge flocks ('kettles') through Central America. Wintering grounds span from southern Mexico through Central America (including Panama) to northern South America.

Acts as an important mid-tier avian predator feeding on small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and large insects, helping control rodent and insect populations.

Roadside Hawk (Buteo magnirostris) has narrower, more numerous greyish-brown tail bands; Gray Hawk (Buteo nitidus) has finer white tail bands; Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus) has multiple narrower dark tail bands.

Broad-winged Hawks assemble by the hundreds of thousands during migration in autumnal 'kettles' using thermal updrafts. The Panama Canal region near Gamboa is famous worldwide for witnessing millions of migrating raptors every fall and spring.

Raptor feathers hold sacred status in many indigenous traditions across the Americas, used in ceremonial attire and spiritual regalia symbolizing strength and vision.

Look under roosting trees along forest edges or trail crossings in famous migratory bottlenecks like Pipeline Road in Gamboa during peak molt periods (late winter to spring).

Fair to Good condition. Shows moderate wear and splitting along the trailing vane edges, typical of a naturally molted feather or one dropped during active roosting/flight.

Found in Gamboa, Panama