Bald Eagle

A magnificent large bird of prey with a 6-7 foot wingspan. While adults have the iconic white head and tail, their wing feathers remain a deep, solid brown. This feather exhibits the robust construction needed to support a bird that can weigh up to 14 pounds.

Uniform dark chocolate brown to fuscous black, typical of an adult or older sub-adult bird. The base of the rachis and near the calamus shows a distinctive pale/white transition typical of where the feather inserts into the follicle.

Tightly interlocked pennaceous barbs throughout most of the vane for aerodynamic integrity; the base shows some loose, plumulaceous (downy) barbs for insulation.

Smooth and glossy on the dorsal surface with a waxy, water-resistant feel. The vane is stiff but flexible enough to handle air pressure during flight.

Robust size, solid dark brown coloration without banding, and a thick, pale rachis. The lack of mottling suggests an adult bird.

Typically found near large bodies of open water (lakes, rivers, coastal areas) with an abundance of fish and tall trees for nesting and roosting.

Abundant across North America, from Alaska and Canada through the contiguous United States to northern Mexico. Many populations are migratory, moving south if northern waters freeze.

Apex predator and scavenger. They play a vital role in cleaning up carrion and regulating fish and waterfowl populations.

Golden Eagle (feathers often have a more golden-brown wash and different basal patterns), Turkey Vulture (rachis is usually darker and feather is lighter/more grey-toned), and immature Bald Eagles (which show white mottling/blotches).

Bald Eagles build the largest nests of any North American bird, sometimes reaching 10 feet wide and weighing over a ton. They are also known for 'kleptoparasitism'—stealing fish from other birds like Ospreys.

Good condition. There is minor fraying along the trailing edge (inner vane) and a few separations (splits) between barbs, which is common in naturally molted feathers.