Red-tailed Hawk (Chickenhawk, Buzzard)

This is a iconic rufous tail feather from an adult Red-tailed Hawk. The bird itself is a large raptor with a 4-foot wingspan, known for its broad, rounded wings and short, wide tail. Adults are distinguished by this cinnamon-red tail, while juveniles have brown-banded tails. They are often seen soaring in wide circles or perched on telephone poles scanning for rodents.

Classic adult 'red' tail pattern: a rich cinnamon-rufous or earthy orange upper surface. The base is white, transitioning into a speckled brown subterminal band area. The tip has a faint dark subterminal band followed by a narrow pale terminal edge. The coloration is melanin-based.

Mainly pennaceous with tightly interlocking barbs for flight stability. The base (calamus area) shows soft, downy plumulaceous barbs known as the afterfeather area.

The surface is stiff and smooth with a slight matte to semi-glossy finish. It feels sturdy to the touch, designed to withstand high-pressure air currents during soaring.

Distinctive cinnamon-red color (rufous), dark subterminal banding near the tip, white base, and significant width to length ratio.

Extremely versatile; found in open woodlands, grasslands, agricultural fields, deserts, and urban areas with tall perching structures.

Resident across most of North America from Alaska/Canada to Panama. Northern populations migrate to the southern US and Mexico during winter.

Apex predator and rodent specialist. They play a crucial role in controlling populations of voles, mice, and rabbits. They are indicators of environmental health in agricultural areas.

Ferruginous Hawk (typically lacks the dark subterminal band and is paler) and Red-shouldered Hawk (more numerous, thinner black and white bands).

The Red-tailed Hawk's scream is so iconic that it is almost always used in Hollywood movies as the sound for Bald Eagles, whose actual vocalizations are much chirpier and weaker.

Good to Fair. There is some minor 'ruffling' or separation of the barbs near the tip (feather wear/fraying). No major fault bars or parasite damage is visible.