Cooper's Hawk (sometimes confused with Sharp-shinned Hawk)
Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Chordata; Class: Aves; Order: Accipitriformes; Family: Accipitridae; Genus: Accipiter; Species: A. cooperii · Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites) · Tail (Rectrix)
Species
Accipiter cooperii
Feather Type
Tail (Rectrix)
Family
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
Shape
Relatively symmetrical with a rounded tip; typical of the central or near-central tail feathers of an Accipiter.
Size
Approximately 7-9 inches in length; width is roughly 1.5 inches. This is consistent with the rectrices of an adult or sub-adult Cooper's Hawk.
Rarity
Common (regularly encountered in both wooded and residential areas).
Color & Pattern
Pale gray or grayish-brown base color with four distinct, thick, dark brown/charcoal horizontal bands. The tip of the feather typically shows a narrow white terminal band, which appears somewhat worn here.
Barb Structure
Pennaceous and tightly interlocked throughout most of the vane; plumulaceous (downy) at the very base. The barbs are mostly intact but show some lateral separation due to handling.
Texture & Surface
Smooth and stiff to the touch; the upper surface is matte. It lacks the soft, velvety fringe found in owls, indicating this bird is a high-speed diurnal hunter.
Description
This is a classic tail feather from a Cooper's Hawk, a medium-sized raptor known for its agility in thick brush. The bird is roughly the size of a crow, with short, rounded wings and a very long, banded tail that acts as a rudder during high-speed chases of smaller birds.
Key Features
Bold, even-width dark banding across a gray background and a rounded tip distinguish it from the smaller, square-tipped tail feathers of the Sharp-shinned Hawk.
Habitat
Found in deciduous, coniferous, and mixed forests; increasingly common in suburban areas and urban parks with tall trees.
Geographic Range
Year-round resident across much of the United States and Mexico; northern populations in Southern Canada migrate south for the winter.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. There is some minor 'zipper' separation of the barbs and wear at the tip, likely dariing from the molting process or environmental contact before being found.
Interesting Facts
Cooper's Hawks are 'stealth hunters' that specialize in eating other birds. They have been known to crash through dense vegetation so forcefully that a high percentage of examined carcasses show healed rib fractures.
Ecological Role
Apex avian predator. They play a crucial role in controlling populations of songbirds and small mammals, particularly in suburban environments.
Similar Species
Sharp-shinned Hawk (smaller, thinner bands, square-tipped tail); Northern Goshawk (larger, wavy bands, more mottled appearance).