Red-tailed Hawk (Chickenhawk)

This is a characteristic adult tail feather of a Red-tailed Hawk. Adult Red-tails are large hawks with broad, rounded wings and short, wide tails. While their plumage varies greatly by morph and region, the iconic rufous tail is the hallmark of the adult bird. Juveniles lack this red color, instead possessing brown-and-white banded tails.

Vibrant rufous-brown (cinnamon) upper surface with a thin, distinct dark subterminal band near the tip. The very edge of the tip is a pale whitish-buff. The rachis is often reddish-brown on top and white underneath.

Densely interlocked pennaceous barbs along the majority of the vane for structural integrity during flight, transition to plumulaceous (downy) barbs at the base (calamus).

Smooth, stiff, and somewhat glossy on the dorsal side; the underside is more matte and paler in color.

Bold rufous-red color, single dark subterminal band, and broad width.

Extremely versatile: open country, woodlands, prairies, deserts, urban parks, and highway roadsides.

Year-round resident across most of North America, from central Alaska and Canada south to Panama and the West Indies.

Apex predator, primarily controlling rodent and small mammal populations. They serve as an important indicator of ecosystem health.

Red-shouldered Hawk (smaller,كثر white/black bands), Ferruginous Hawk (much paler underside, lacks the single dark subterminal band on a solid red field).

The famous 'screech' used in Hollywood movies for almost every eagle or hawk is actually the recorded call of a Red-tailed Hawk.

Good condition. Minimal fraying at the tip suggests it was molted naturally (likely during late summer or fall) rather than damaged through stress.