Red-tailed Hawk (Eastern or Western morph variant)
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Accipitriformes, Family: Accipitridae, Genus: Buteo, Species: jamaicensis · Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Old World Vultures) · Flight feather (Secondary remex)
Species
Buteo jamaicensis
Feather Type
Flight feather (Secondary remex)
Family
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Old World Vultures)
Shape
Slightly asymmetrical, broad and elongated with a rounded tip and a gentle lateral curvature characteristic of an inner wing feather.
Size
Approximately 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm) in length; the width is about 1.5 inches. This falls perfectly within the typical size range for a mid-wing secondary of an adult Buteo hawk.
Rarity
Common; it is one of the most widespread and frequently seen raptors in North America.
Color & Pattern
Uniformly reddish-brown (rufous) to cinnamon wash on the dorsal surface, becoming paler and more creamy-tan toward the base near the rachis. There is a lack of heavy dark banding, suggesting an adult bird from a more rufous-toned population or a specific color morph.
Barb Structure
Primarily pennaceous with tightly interlocked barbs for flight efficiency; the base transitions into soft, white plumulaceous (downy) barbs for insulation. No comb-like serrations, distinguishing it from an owl.
Texture & Surface
Smooth and slightly glossy on the upper surface with a stiff, resilient vane. The leading edge is slightly more rigid than the trailing edge to withstand wind pressure.
Description
This feather belongs to the Red-tailed Hawk, a large, powerful raptor known for its broad, rounded wings and iconic cinnamon-red tail. The bird reaches a wingspan of up to 4.5 feet. It is a master of soaring, often seen circling high in the sky or perched on telephone poles scanning for small mammals. Their plumage is highly variable, ranging from very light to almost entirely chocolate brown (dark morphs).
Key Features
The combination of the solid rufous-light brown coloration, the creamy-yellow thick rachis, and the broad, rounded secondary shape are diagnostic for a Buteo species.
Habitat
Extremely versatile; found in open woodlands, agricultural fields, grasslands, deserts, and increasingly in urban parks and highway corridors.
Geographic Range
Widespread throughout North America, from central Alaska and Canada south through Mexico and Central America; northern populations are migratory while southern ones are year-round residents.
Condition Notes
Good condition. There is slight fraying at the tip and along the leading edge, and a visible 'fault bar' or stress line near the top, which may indicate a period of nutritional stress during the feather's growth.
Interesting Facts
The shrill, rasping scream of the Red-tailed Hawk is so iconic that it is almost always used in Hollywood movies to represent any eagle or hawk, regardless of the species actually shown on screen.
Ecological Role
Top-tier predator that controls rodent and rabbit populations. They are ecological indicators whose health reflects the stability of the local food web.
Similar Species
Red-shouldered Hawk (smaller, usually has distinct white translucent 'windows'), Cooper's Hawk (longer, narrower feathers with darker bands), and Ferruginous Hawk (typically paler or more distinctly patterned).