Red-shouldered Hawk (also known as the Hen Hawk)
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Accipitriformes, Family: Accipitridae, Genus: Buteo, Species: Buteo lineatus · Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites) · Secondary flight feather (remiges), likely from the inner wing area.
Species
Buteo lineatus
Feather Type
Secondary flight feather (remiges), likely from the inner wing area.
Family
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
Shape
Broad and moderately elongated with a rounded tip. The vane is moderately asymmetrical, typical of secondary feathers which require less aerodynamic offset than primaries.
Size
Estimated 6 to 8 inches in length (15-20 cm). This size is consistent with the secondary feathers of a medium-sized Buteo hawk.
Rarity
Common; one of the most frequently seen and heard hawks in wooded suburban and rural areas across its range.
Color & Pattern
Strongly barred pattern featuring alternating bands of dark chocolate brown (melanin-heavy) and creamy white. The bands are crisp and wide, a diagnostic trait for this species. The rachis is pale at the base, darkening toward the tip.
Barb Structure
Pennaceous structure throughout most of the vane with tightly interlocked barbs for flight stability; transition to plumulaceous (downy) barbs near the superior umbilicus at the base.
Texture & Surface
Smooth and firm surface with a slightly matte finish. The leading edge is stiffer than the trailing edge to maintain airfoil integrity under wind pressure.
Description
This feather belongs to a medium-sized raptor known for its striking rufous (reddish-brown) chest and shoulders. The Red-shouldered Hawk is smaller than a Red-tailed Hawk but larger than a Broad-winged Hawk. Its flight is characterized by several quick wingbeats followed by a short glide, and its loud 'kee-aah' call is a staple of the forest canopy.
Key Features
Bold, high-contrast dark and light banding; rounded tip; lacks the translucent 'windows' seen in the outer primaries of the same species.
Habitat
Deciduous or mixed woodlands, often near water sources such as rivers, swamps, or marshes. They prefer canopy cover for nesting and open understories for hunting.
Geographic Range
Common throughout the Eastern United States, extending into Southern Canada, with a disjunct population along the coast of California and Baja California.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. There is significant fraying and separation of the barbs at the tip and along the margins, suggesting this is a naturally molted feather that has spent some time exposed to the elements.
Interesting Facts
The Red-shouldered Hawk is famous for its 'scream,' which is often mimicked by Blue Jays. They are highly territorial and often return to the same nesting territory year after year.
Ecological Role
An apex predator in forest ecosystems, they control populations of small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. They are considered indicators of healthy, mature woodland habitats.
Similar Species
Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) feathers have fewer, broader bands; Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) feathers are more elongated and have grayer, narrower banding.