Likely Canada Goose feather (also Canadian Goose)

This is a large goose body feather with the gray-brown coloration typical of Canada Goose plumage. Adults are large, long-necked birds with a black head and neck, conspicuous white cheek patch, brown body, and a loud honking call.

Overall pale gray to gray-brown, slightly darker toward the edges and distal tip; subtle shaft-centered shading is visible, without bold barring

Pennaceous upper vane with fine, tightly interlocking barbules; the basal portion is distinctly plumulaceous and fluffy, with an evident aftershaft

Straight, pale gray rachis, moderately slender and flexible; barbs are dense distally but loosen toward the downy base, producing a soft transition

Smooth, matte, and softly weather-resistant on the vane; basal down is fluffy and insulating

Probably back, flank, or breast; the broad soft base provides insulation, while the streamlined upper vane sheds water

Large size, pale gray-brown body coloration, rounded contour-feather tip, and prominent fluffy aftershaft strongly favor a goose over a gull, hawk, or duck

Wetlands, lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes, agricultural fields, parks, and urban waterways; nests near water and forages on grasses and aquatic vegetation

Widespread across North America, with resident and migratory populations; introduced or established in parts of Europe and New Zealand

Canada Geese graze vegetation, transport nutrients between wetlands and uplands, and serve as prey for foxes, coyotes, eagles, and large owls. Populations are generally secure, though locally overabundant geese can affect habitats and water quality.

Domestic goose and Greater White-fronted Goose feathers may look similar; Canada Goose feathers are generally larger and more uniformly gray-brown. Swan feathers are usually whiter, while duck feathers are typically smaller.

Canada Geese can migrate thousands of kilometers, yet many urban populations remain year-round residents. Their insulating down traps still air, helping them tolerate cold water and winter weather.

Goose feathers and down have long been used for insulation, bedding, clothing, quill work, and traditional crafts. In the United States, possession of naturally shed feathers from native wild geese is generally regulated under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Search beneath roost trees, along pond margins, and in grassy feeding areas during late-summer and autumn molts. Compare size, downy base, and overall gray-brown tone with nearby goose feathers; photograph rather than collect where regulations apply.

Appears naturally molted, intact, and only lightly weathered; no obvious fault bars, oiling, parasite damage, or bleaching. Condition: Good