Cooper's Hawk

This feather belongs to the Cooper's Hawk, a medium-sized forest hawk known for its long tail and rounded wings. Adults have blue-gray backs and rufous-barred underparts, while this feather showcases the bold gray-and-white banding found on the wings and tail that provides camouflage against the dappled light of the forest floor.

Strongly banded with alternating dark charcoal-gray (melanic) and pale silvery-white/light gray bars. This classic 'mottled' or 'barred' pattern is a hallmark of the Accipiter genus.

Pennaceous and tightly interlocked throughout the majority of the vane for flight efficiency, with a small plumulaceous (downy) section at the base near the calamus.

Smooth and firm texture with a slightly matte finish. The leading edge is stiff to resist air pressure while the trailing edge is slightly more flexible.

Bold horizontal banding, rounded tip, and the specific 5-6 inch size which separates it from the smaller Sharp-shinned Hawk and larger Northern Goshawk.

Woodlands, forested edges, and increasingly common in leafy suburban areas where they hunt backyard songbirds.

Common throughout North America, ranging from Southern Canada to Central Mexico. Northern populations are migratory, while southern birds are often year-round residents.

Apex predator of small-to-medium birds and mammals; they help regulate songbird populations and serve as an indicator of healthy woodland and suburban ecosystems.

Sharp-shinned Hawk (smaller, thinner bands), Northern Goshawk (larger, more wavy/irregular banding), and Broad-winged Hawk (different wing shape and band spacing).

Cooper's Hawks are 'stealth fighters' of the bird world; they have been clocked flying through dense brush at high speeds, sometimes even striking the ground or trees in pursuit of prey, leading to many specimens having healed bone fractures.

Good condition; the barbs are mostly intact, though there is slight fraying at the tip and base suggesting it may be a naturally molted feather from a previous season.