Likely Barred Owl; also known as Northern Barred Owl

A barred owl feather with a fluffy base and muted cross-barring. Barred Owls are large, round-headed forest owls with dark eyes, brown-and-white horizontal barring, and the familiar hooting call often rendered “Who cooks for you?”

Warm gray-brown with broad dark and pale crossbars and a darker tip. This pattern is compatible with Barred Owl, but overlaps with other barred owls and some hawks.

The distal vane is closely knit, while the base is soft and plumulaceous. Fine, soft-looking edges are consistent with owl feathers’ noise-reducing structure.

A slim, brownish rachis runs through the feather; barbs form broad alternating pale and dark bands, with loose down at the base.

Soft, matte, and somewhat fluffy at the base; the vane appears supple rather than rigid, typical of owl plumage.

Probably wing or tail; the broad vane and barred pattern fit either, but the image does not show enough detail to assign a specific feather tract.

Broad rounded outline, soft basal down, and alternating gray-brown and pale bars are consistent with an owl feather. These traits are suggestive, not diagnostic to species.

Barred Owls inhabit mature and mixed forests, especially near water, and also use wooded swamps and suburban woodlands.

Resident across much of eastern North America, extending into parts of the Pacific Northwest and western Canada; generally nonmigratory.

Barred Owls are forest predators of rodents, birds, amphibians, and other small animals. Their population is generally considered stable, though habitat change and competition with Spotted Owls are concerns.

Great Horned Owl and other large owls can have barred feathers; some hawk feathers also show bands. Feather position, size, and a complete specimen or bird are needed for reliable separation.

Barred Owls hunt by sound as well as sight and can rotate their heads far beyond a human’s range. Their expansion westward has brought them into contact and competition with Spotted Owls.

Owl feathers appear in art and cultural traditions, but possession and trade may be restricted by wildlife laws. In the United States, most native bird feathers are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Photograph both sides beside a ruler and note the collection location. Compare with verified feather guides; do not collect or keep wild owl feathers without checking local and federal regulations.

Visible feather appears largely intact, though the tip and edges show slight wear. No obvious oil, staining, or severe breakage; condition appears good.