Red Junglefowl (Domestic Chicken - Rooster hackle feather)
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Galliformes, Family: Phasianidae, Genus: Gallus, Species: Gallus gallus · Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies) · Contour (Lanceolate hackle feather from the neck or saddle region)
Species
Gallus gallus domesticus
Feather Type
Contour (Lanceolate hackle feather from the neck or saddle region)
Family
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
Shape
Highly elongated and lanceolate (spear-shaped) with a tapered, pointed tip; primarily symmetrical
Size
Approximately 2.5 to 3.5 inches in length. This is characteristic for a domestic rooster's hackle or saddle feather.
Rarity
Very Common. This is one of the most abundant bird feathers globally due to the poultry industry and backyard farming.
Color & Pattern
Vibrant burnt orange to rufous-red distal half, transitioning into a dark charcoal or iridescent greenish-black base. The rachis is light/creamy at the base, darkening toward the tip.
Barb Structure
Mixed: Pennaceous (interlocked) at the distal tip and along the margins, transitioning to plumulaceous (fluffy/downy) at the base. The barbs are long and thin.
Texture & Surface
Glossy and silky to the touch with a distinct metallic sheen in the darker areas; the pennaceous portions are smooth and flexible.
Description
This is a classic 'cape' or 'hackle' feather from a domestic rooster. Male chickens (cocks) grow these long, narrow, pointed feathers to attract females and display health. Unlike the hens, who have rounded body feathers, roosters exhibit these lanceolate feathers that catch the light with deep pigments and structural iridescence. The bird itself is a medium-sized ground dweller with a fleshy red comb and wattles.
Key Features
Elongated spear-like shape, vibrant orange-red coloration, and the presence of a fluffy downy base typical of Galliformes body feathers.
Habitat
Agricultural land, farmsteads, suburban backyards, and occasionally feral populations in tropical or temperate forests.
Geographic Range
Globally distributed due to domestication. Ancestral Red Junglefowl are native to South and Southeast Asia.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. The feather shows significant separation of the barbs (split vanes), likely from environmental wear or being shed during a molt. No obvious parasite damage.
Interesting Facts
The domestic chicken is the most populous bird on Earth. The specific structure of these feathers (stiff rachis, long barbs) has made them the gold standard for fly-tying in trout fishing for over a century.
Ecological Role
Domesticated species; serves as a primary food source for humans and various predators (foxes, hawks). They act as omnivorous foragers, consuming seeds and insects.
Similar Species
Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) feathers are similar but usually more uniformly colored or broader. Other domestic chicken breeds (like Rhode Island Reds) may have similar colors but different feather lengths.