Red-tailed Hawk

This feather belongs to the Red-tailed Hawk, a large raptor known for its broad, rounded wings and short, wide tail. While adults have the iconic brick-red tail, their wing feathers like this one retain a barred brown and white pattern that provides excellent camouflage while perched in trees.

Mottled brown and off-white/cream banding. The dark bands are broad and well-defined against a lighter brownish-gray background, typical of the juvenile or non-terminal tail patterns seen in various Buteo morphs.

Tightly interlocked pennaceous barbs across the main vane providing a stiff aerodynamic surface, with a small plumulaceous (downy) section at the base of the calamus.

Relatively stiff and smooth on the dorsal surface with a matte finish. The trailing edge is soft to the touch but maintains its shape through interlocking hooklets.

Broad width, rounded tip, and distinct dark brown transverse banding on a lighter gray-khaki background.

Highly adaptable, inhabiting open woodlands, agricultural fields, grasslands, desert scrub, and urban parks with tall trees or telephone poles for perching.

Year-round resident across most of North America, from central Alaska and Canada down through Mexico and Central America.

Apex predator that controls rodent and rabbit populations; they are vital for maintaining the balance of grassland and woodland ecosystems.

Red-shouldered Hawk feathers (usually smaller and darker with more contrast) and Red-tailed Hawk (Juvenile) which may have more numerous, thinner bands.

The 'screech' often used in movies for any eagle or hawk is almost always actually the recording of a Red-tailed Hawk's raspy, downward-slurping scream.

Good condition. There is some minor fraying at the tip and along the edges, suggesting it was naturally molted rather than pulled.