Sharp-shinned Hawk (also known as 'Sharpie')

This feather belongs to the smallest hawk in the US and Canada. The Sharp-shinned Hawk is a master of maneuverability, featuring short, rounded wings and a long, squared-off tail that acts as a rudder through dense foliage. They are characterized by their 'flap-flap-glide' flight pattern and piercing orange-to-red eyes in adults.

Slate-gray to bluish-gray base on the dorsal surface with 4-5 distinct dark brownish-black horizontal bands (bars). The underside is paler silvery-white with muted barring

Tightly interlocked pennaceous barbs throughout most of the vane; plumulaceous (fluffy) structure near the base of the calamus for insulation

Thick, white to light-gray rachis that is stiff and slightly curved. Barbs are densely packed at a roughly 45-degree angle to the shaft

Smooth and somewhat stiff surface with a matte finish; the leading edge is slightly more rigid to withstand air pressure during flight

Secondary wing feather (likely S3-S6), identified by the gentle curve of the rachis and the relative width of the inner vs. outer vane

Distinctive dark bands on a gray background, blunt rounded tip, and a relatively small size for a raptor feather

Primarily deep coniferous or mixed forests and thickets; frequently found in suburban areas near bird feeders during winter

Extensive range across North America, from the tree line in Alaska and Canada through the US and into Central America; northern populations are migratory

Top-tier avian predator. They play a vital role in regulating songbird populations and serve as an indicator of forest health

Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) feathers are very similar but generally larger with more rounded tail feathers; American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) feathers have more rufous/orange tones

These birds are specialized hunters of small songbirds. They are known to use the 'accipiter squeeze' to dispatch prey and have extremely thin, 'sharp' shins which give them their common name

Raptor feathers hold deep spiritual significance in many Indigenous North American cultures, often symbolizing strength, vision, and speed. Historically, Accipiter feathers were occasionally used in fletching due to their aerodynamic properties

Look for these near forest edges or under dense backyard shrubs where hawks may process prey. Sharp-shinned feathers are notably smaller than those of the very similar Cooper's Hawk

Fair to Good. Shows significant wear and 'zipper' gaps where barbs have separated. Likely a naturally molted feather or one lost during a predatory struggle