Cooper's Hawk

This is a classic tail feather from a Cooper's Hawk, a medium-sized raptor known for its acrobatic flight. The bird itself features a long, banded tail and rounded wings. Adults have a blue-gray back and rufous-barred underparts, while juveniles are brown with vertical streaks.

Alternating wide bands of dark grayish-brown (fuscous) and lighter silvery-gray. The tip has a narrow white terminal band, which is more prominent in fresh plumage. The underside is notably paler than the dorsal surface.

Pennaceous and tightly interlocked throughout the majority of the vane; plumulaceous (downy) at the very base for insulation.

Stiff and smooth to the touch; the surface has a slight matte finish typical of woodland raptors that require durability for maneuvering through dense foliage.

Characteristic broad brown and gray banding, white terminal tip, and long, rectangular shape specific to the Accipiter genus.

Deciduous, mixed, and coniferous forests, but increasingly common in suburban areas and backyards with mature trees where bird feeders attract their prey.

Breeds across southern Canada throughout most of the United States and into central Mexico; northern populations are migratory while southern populations are year-round residents.

Apex avian predator in suburban environments; plays a vital role in regulating songbird and small mammal populations.

Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) feathers are nearly identical but significantly smaller and usually lack the broad white terminal tip. Red-shouldered Hawk feathers (Buteo lineatus) have much higher contrast (black and white).

Cooper's Hawks are 'true hawks' or 'accipiters.' They are pursuit predators specializing in catching other birds mid-air, often using their long tails as rudders to execute sharp turns through thick branches.

The feather shows significant damage, specifically large notches missing from the leading vane likely due to wear, impact, or a near-miss with a predator or prey. Color remains crisp, suggesting it was molted relatively recently.