Cooper's Hawk

A medium-sized hawk with short, rounded wings and a long, banded tail. Adults have a blue-gray back and rufous-barred underparts, while juveniles are brown with vertical streaks. They are masters of maneuverability in dense brush.

Boldly banded with alternating dark brown (nearly black) and light grayish-white to cream bars. The bands are crisp and distinct, a hallmark of the Accipiter genus. The underside is typically paler with less contrast.

Densely interlocked (pennaceous) barbs for flight efficiency; the trailing edge maintains a smooth surface, while the base shows some slight plumulaceous (downy) barbs near the calamus.

Relatively stiff and smooth with a slight matte finish. The leading edge feels sharper and more rigid than the trailing edge to resist air pressure during the downstroke.

Distinctive thick dark banding on a pale background; high asymmetry of the vanes; size specifically between 18-23 cm for primary feathers.

Wooded areas, deciduous forests, and increasingly found in suburban backyards where they prey on songbirds near feeders.

Year-round resident throughout much of the United States and Mexico; northern populations migrate to the southern U.S. and Central America for winter.

Apex avian predator in forest ecosystems; helps regulate songbird and small mammal populations. They are sensitive to habitat fragmentation but have adapted well to suburban life.

Sharp-shinned Hawk (smaller feathers, usually under 6 inches) and Northern Goshawk (larger, with more mottling/stippling rather than clean bands).

Cooper's Hawks are 'stealth hunters.' They often fly low to the ground and use vegetation to surprise prey. They are sometimes called 'Chicken Hawks,' though they rarely hunt poultry.

The feather appears to be in relatively good condition with some minor fraying at the tip and edges, likely a naturally molted feather from the post-breeding season.

Angel Fire, New Mexico