Red-tailed Hawk (Eastern subspecies B. j. borealis shown here)

A classic hawk feather featuring the 'barred' pattern typical of immature or Eastern-variant Red-tailed Hawks. The bird itself is a large raptor with broad, rounded wings and a short, wide tail. While adults have the iconic cinnamon-red tail, their wing feathers remain barred.

Base color is a warm brownish-tan with 6-8 distinct dark brown horizontal bars/bands. The tip is dark chocolate brown. The lower trailing edge fades into white marble-like patterning.

Densely interlocked pennaceous barbs on the upper 80% of the vane; the base features a significant plumulaceous (downy) white section with visible afterfeather traits.

Relatively stiff and smooth (pennaceous) to the touch, designed for aerodynamic efficiency. The surface has a matte finish typical of raptors, unlike the glossy finish of corvids.

Bold dark bands across a buff-tan vane, distinct white downy base, and characteristic stiffness of a raptor primary.

Extremely versatile: found in open woodlands, prairies, agricultural fields, parks, and highway roadsides where perches are available.

Year-round resident across most of North America, from Alaska and Canada through Central America and the Caribbean.

Apex predator, primarily controlling rodent and lagomorph (rabbit) populations. They are vital indicators of ecosystem health regarding pesticide heavy-metal accumulation.

Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) feathers have more high-contrast black and white banding. Cooper's Hawks (Accipiter cooperii) have thinner, more tapered feathers with different banding spacing.

The famous 'eagle scream' heard in Hollywood movies is almost always actually the high-pitched, rasping scream of a Red-tailed Hawk, as a Bald Eagle's true voice is much chirpier.

Good condition. The barbs are mostly intact with minimal fraying. The plumulaceous base is clean, suggesting a naturally molted feather rather than one lost to trauma.