Bald Eagle (American Eagle)

This is a large, powerful flight feather from an adult Bald Eagle. The bird itself is iconic, featuring a white head and tail (in adults) contrasting with a dark brown body, a large yellow beak, and a wingspan of up to 7.5 feet.

Uniformly dark blackish-brown with subtle fading to a lighter brown-grey near the base. The dorsal surface is darker and glossier than the ventral surface. There is no banding, which distinguishes it from Golden Eagles or immature individuals.

Densely interlocked pennaceous barbs for aerodynamic efficiency. The proximal end (base) shows a small amount of plumulaceous (downy) structure near the calamus.

Stiff and smooth with a slight oily sheen for water resistance. The leading edge is very rigid to withstand high wind pressure during soaring.

Large size, deep chocolate-brown to black coloration without bands, thick dark rachis, and significant asymmetry.

Found near large bodies of open water with an abundance of fish, including lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and coastal areas with tall trees for nesting.

Widespread across North America, from Alaska and Canada through the contiguous United States to northern Mexico. Many populations are migratory.

Apex predator and scavenger. They play a vital role in regulating fish and waterfowl populations and cleaning up carrion in aquatic ecosystems.

Golden Eagle feathers (usually have a paler base), Turkey Vulture (similar color but smaller with a lighter rachis), and California Condor (much larger and rarer).

Bald Eagles can soar to altitudes of 10,000 feet and their nests are the largest of any North American bird, sometimes weighing over a ton.

Good condition. There is some minor fraying at the tip and along the trailing edge, suggesting it was molted naturally after a full season of use.