Likely Turkey Vulture (Black Vulture also possible)

This is a long dark vulture wing feather with a pale basal window. Turkey Vultures are broad-winged, soaring scavengers with a small red, unfeathered head, distinctive rocking flight, and a wingspan of roughly 1.6–1.8 m.

Predominantly dark brown to black, with a conspicuous pale gray-white basal section on the inner vane; this contrast is characteristic of vulture flight feathers.

Pennaceous and stiff over most of the vane, with visibly frayed, loose barbs near the base and edges; no owl-like combing.

Rachis is pale cream to gray and fairly robust; barbs are densely packed distally but become ragged toward the basal portion.

Stiff, smooth, and matte, with slight gloss on dark areas; basal barbs are softer and worn.

Wing, likely an outer primary or adjacent secondary, based on asymmetry and tapered outline.

Large size, dark distal vane, pale basal inner vane, and markedly asymmetrical flight-feather shape. The pale area is more suggestive of Turkey Vulture than the generally darker Black Vulture, though a single feather is not definitive.

Open countryside, deserts, forests, wetlands, and roadsides, commonly roosting in trees, cliffs, and utility structures.

Turkey Vultures range across much of the Americas, from southern Canada through the United States and Mexico to South America; many northern birds migrate seasonally.

A major scavenger that rapidly removes carrion and helps limit disease transmission. The species remains widespread and is generally listed as Least Concern, though poisoning, collisions, and habitat disturbance pose local risks.

Black Vulture feathers are usually more uniformly black and often show less extensive pale basal coloration. Large hawk feathers may be banded or barred rather than displaying this dark-tip/pale-base pattern.

Turkey Vultures locate carrion largely by smell, an unusual ability among birds, and can soar for hours with minimal wingbeats.

Vulture feathers have been used historically in decorative arts and ceremonial contexts, but possession of native North American vulture feathers is generally regulated under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Look beneath communal roosts, along fence lines, and near feeding or soaring sites; compare several feathers and measure them. Photograph both surfaces and note whether the pale area is confined mainly to the inner vane.

Old and moderately worn, with broken or frayed basal barbs; no obvious fault bars, oiling, or parasite damage. Condition: Fair.