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Osprey (Fish Hawk, River Hawk)
Secondary flight feather, remige

Osprey (Fish Hawk, River Hawk)

Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Accipitriformes, Family: Pandionidae, Genus: Pandion, Species: P. haliaetus

Family: Pandionidae (Ospreys)

Shape
Symmetrical to slightly asymmetrical vane, rounded tip, broadly oblong with distinct dark and white banding
Size
Approximately 8 to 10 inches long, consistent with a medium-to-large secondary flight feather for an Osprey
Rarity
Common throughout suitable aquatic habitats globally
Learn more about Osprey (Fish Hawk, River Hawk) in the encyclopedia →

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Description

A striking raptor feather characterized by bold dark brown and white barring. Ospreys are large, specialized fish-eating hawks with long, angled wings and a distinctive white head with a dark eye mask

Colour & Pattern

Striking pattern of bold dark brown/blackish bars contrasting against a clean white or pale buff background, with a stout whitish-yellow rachis

Barb Structure

Strongly pennaceous through the main vane with tightly interlocked barbicels, transitioning to plumulaceous downy barbs at the extreme base of the calamus

Texture & Surface

Stiff, firm, and smooth-textured vane with a matte finish, designed to withstand high aerodynamic friction during flight and diving

Key Features

Distinctive alternating dark brown and white transverse bands across a broad vane with a pale yellowish-white rachis

Habitat

Near bodies of fresh or salt water including rivers, lakes, reservoirs, bays, and coastal marine habitats with abundant fish populations

Geographic Range

Cosmopolitan distribution; found worldwide near major bodies of water across every continent except Antarctica

Ecological Role

Acts as an apex aquatic predator and key ecological indicator for the health of freshwater and marine aquatic ecosystems

Similar Species

Bald Eagle or large Buteo hawk feathers, distinguished here by the specific high-contrast broad brown-and-white banding pattern unique to Osprey wing feathers

Interesting Facts

Ospreys are one of the few raptor species with a reversible outer toe, allowing them to grasp slippery fish with two toes facing forward and two backward

Condition Notes

Good overall condition with intact barbs and minimal fraying, showing standard wear typical of a naturally molted feather found in the field

Notes

Found in revelstoke, BC - in the bushes by the river