Red-tailed Hawk (Eastern or Western, likely an immature bird)
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Accipitriformes, Family: Accipitridae, Genus: Buteo, Species: Buteo jamaicensis · Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites) · Secondary flight feather (Remex)
Species
Buteo jamaicensis
Feather Type
Secondary flight feather (Remex)
Family
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
Shape
Broad and slightly asymmetrical with a rounded, blunt tip. The trailing edge is curved while the leading edge is straighter, typical of an inner wing feather.
Size
Estimated 7-9 inches (18-23 cm) in length. This falls within the standard range for a mid-to-inner secondary feather of a Buteo hawk.
Rarity
Very Common; it is the most widespread and frequently seen large hawk in North America.
Color & Pattern
Pale white/cream base with distinct brownish-gray wash and heavy dark banding (bars). The tip shows a dark subterminal band. The mottling and irregular banding suggest a juvenile/immature bird, as adults often have more uniform patterns depending on the subspecies.
Barb Structure
Densely pennaceous throughout the main vane for aerodynamic integrity, transitioning to plumulaceous (downy) barbs at the base (calamus area) for insulation.
Texture & Surface
The surface is matte and slightly stiff to the touch. The leading edge (vane) is narrower and stiffer than the trailing edge to withstand wind pressure.
Description
This feather belongs to the iconic Red-tailed Hawk, a large raptor with broad, rounded wings and a short, wide tail. While adults are famous for their namesake cinnamon-red tails, this feather's heavy banding indicates it likely came from a juvenile. These birds are master soarers, often seen circling in thermals or perched on telephone poles scanning for small mammals.
Key Features
Wide secondary shape, characteristic 'Buteo' dark banding on a light background, and a slightly translucent quality when held to light.
Habitat
Extremely versatile: found in open woodlands, agricultural fields, mountain ranges, urban parks, and highway roadsides where perches are available for hunting.
Geographic Range
Common year-round resident across most of North America, from Alaska and Canada down to Panama and the West Indies. Northernmost populations migrate south for winter.
Condition Notes
Good condition. The barbs are mostly intact with minor fraying at the tip. The plumulaceous base is fluffy, indicating it was likely naturally molted rather than pulled.
Interesting Facts
The raspy, screaming 'keee-eee-ar' cry of the Red-tailed Hawk is so iconic that Hollywood almost always uses it as a sound effect for any eagle or hawk shown on screen, regardless of the species shown.
Ecological Role
Apex predator; primarily controls populations of rodents like voles, mice, and ground squirrels. They also hunt reptiles and smaller birds.
Similar Species
Red-shouldered Hawk (typically has thinner, more frequent black-and-white banding) and Broad-winged Hawk (smaller with fewer, thicker bands).