Osprey (Fish Hawk, River Hawk)

A striking raptor feather characterized by bold dark brown and white barring. Ospreys are large, specialized fish-eating hawks with long, angled wings and a distinctive white head with a dark eye mask

Striking pattern of bold dark brown/blackish bars contrasting against a clean white or pale buff background, with a stout whitish-yellow rachis

Strongly pennaceous through the main vane with tightly interlocked barbicels, transitioning to plumulaceous downy barbs at the extreme base of the calamus

Robust, pale yellowish-white central rachis with high barb density and uniform diagonal barb angles creating a durable, wind-resistant surface

Stiff, firm, and smooth-textured vane with a matte finish, designed to withstand high aerodynamic friction during flight and diving

Wing, specifically a secondary flight feather, determined by the broad shape, distinct transverse dark banding, and white background typical of Osprey wing panels

Distinctive alternating dark brown and white transverse bands across a broad vane with a pale yellowish-white rachis

Near bodies of fresh or salt water including rivers, lakes, reservoirs, bays, and coastal marine habitats with abundant fish populations

Cosmopolitan distribution; found worldwide near major bodies of water across every continent except Antarctica

Acts as an apex aquatic predator and key ecological indicator for the health of freshwater and marine aquatic ecosystems

Bald Eagle or large Buteo hawk feathers, distinguished here by the specific high-contrast broad brown-and-white banding pattern unique to Osprey wing feathers

Ospreys are one of the few raptor species with a reversible outer toe, allowing them to grasp slippery fish with two toes facing forward and two backward

Historically valued by indigenous cultures for ceremonial regalia and arrows; protected today making any trade or possession strictly regulated

Look near large rivers, lakes, and coastal shorelines, particularly under known nesting platforms or perching trees during late summer molt

Good overall condition with intact barbs and minimal fraying, showing standard wear typical of a naturally molted feather found in the field

Found in revelstoke, BC - in the bushes by the river