Red-shouldered Hawk

This feather belongs to a medium-sized hawk known for its beautiful rufous (reddish) shoulder patches and checkered wings. As adults, they display this crisp black-and-white banding on their flight feathers and tails, which creates a 'window' effect when seen from below.

Striking high-contrast pattern consisting of alternating wide dark brown/blackish bands and crisp white/pale cream bands. The tip is dark, and the bands are relatively even in width.

Tightly interlocked pennaceous barbs throughout most of the vane for flight stability; plumulaceous (downy) structure at the very base for insulation.

Smooth and stiff to the touch with a slightly matte finish. The surface is designed to be wind-resistant and durable during flight.

Distinctive even, high-contrast black-and-white banding. Unlike the Red-tailed Hawk's more mottled secondaries, these bands are sharp and well-defined.

Deciduous or mixed woodlands, often near water sources (swamps, rivers) or open fields/edge habitats as seen in Long Island's suburban-forest mix.

Common resident in the Eastern United States and California; northern populations may migrate to the Southern US and Mexico in winter.

Secondary predator; they control populations of small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. They are indicators of healthy forest and wetland ecosystems.

Broad-winged Hawk (smaller, fewer bands), Red-tailed Hawk (more mottled/greyish rather than crisp white), Cooper's Hawk (narrower, different color tone).

Red-shouldered Hawks are very vocal, often giving a loud 'kee-aher' call. They are also known for returning to the same nesting territory year after year.

Good to Excellent. The edges show minimal wear, suggesting it was recently molted. No significant fault bars or parasitic damage visible.

i live in long island, new york. the feather was found in a large open grass field