Common Buzzard (also known as Eurasian Buzzard)

This is a quintessential hawk feather showing the classic 'barred' pattern of the Buteo genus. The bird itself is medium-sized with broad wings and a short, rounded tail. Its plumage is famously variable, ranging from almost pure white to charcoal brown.

Base color is a creamy white to pale beige, marked by 6-8 distinct, transverse dark brown bands. The bands are broader and more saturated towards the tip. The tip shows a wide dark subterminal band followed by a pale margin.

Firmly pennaceous along the main vane for flight stability, transition into plumulaceous (downy) barbs at the base near the calamus for insulation. Barbs are tightly interlocked with hooklets.

Smooth and stiff to the touch. The dorsal surface has a slight semi-gloss finish to repel water, while the ventral side is more matte and silver-toned.

Rounded tip, distinct dark brown transverse banding, white base, and a thick white rachis. The width-to-length ratio is much higher than that of a primary feather.

Highly adaptable; found in open woodlands, forest edges, farmland, meadows, and occasionally moorlands. They require trees for nesting and open ground for hunting.

Common across most of Europe and Asia. Most populations in Europe are resident year-round, while those in colder Northern/Eastern regions migrate to Southern Europe, Africa, or Southern Asia.

Apex predator and scavenger; they control rodent populations (voles and mice) and help clean the environment by consuming carrion.

Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus) has fewer, broader bars and a different spacing near the base. Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) feathers have more numerous, narrower, and crisper bands.

Common Buzzards are highly territorial but also opportunistic. In parts of Europe, their population grew significantly after the banning of certain pesticides, and they are now a frequent sight soaring over motorways.

Good to Excellent. The vane is mostly intact with minimal fraying at the edges. The downy base is clean, suggesting it was likely molted naturally rather than lost to trauma.