8 replies to this topic

[hbvol]

http://www.flickr.co...N05/7455014846/

I found a couple of these along the trail near a swamp in SE TN. My first thought was red-shouldered hawk. Opinions?

[psweet]

Not a Red-shouldered. Red-shouldered flight feathers are barred nearly to the tip. That marbling on the outer half reminds me of a Galliform, but it seems a bit big for Ruffed Grouse and isn't banded enough for a Turkey.

Don't know how much this helps, unfortunately.

[cwj2323]

I use this site to help ID feathers.
http://www.lab.fws.gov/featheratlas/

[hbvol]

I use this site to help ID feathers.
http://www.lab.fws.gov/featheratlas/

Thanks. Using this site I ruled out both red shouldered and red tailed. The closest match I got was for a male whippoorwill tail feather. Chuck wills widow was also close but not as good a match.

[psweet]

Didn't even think of that! I think given the length of the feather, you're looking at a primary, though. Whip-poor-wills average 9.75 inches in total length, and Chuck's average 12 inches. Given the wingspans, I'd say between the two that Chuck's a better bet. (Chuck = 26 inch wingspan, Whip = 19 inch)

[hbvol]

Didn't even think of that! I think given the length of the feather, you're looking at a primary, though. Whip-poor-wills average 9.75 inches in total length, and Chuck's average 12 inches. Given the wingspans, I'd say between the two that Chuck's a better bet. (Chuck = 26 inch wingspan, Whip = 19 inch)

The whippoorwill tail feathers shown on the FWS site were 12 inches. I don't that it is necessarily a flight feather. The photo makes it look like shaft is off center but it is really pretty much centered.

[psweet]

Take another look at that website -- they measure in cm. Which fits with the lengths I'm getting from Sibley's and Pyle.

[hbvol]

Take another look at that website -- they measure in cm. Which fits with the lengths I'm getting from Sibley's and Pyle.

Damn metric system! First the Mars lander and now this.

The next best match in appearance is wild turkey tail feathers if you ignore the light tip of the wild turkey feather. So I have no idea.
EDIT: the female turkey secondaries aren't too far off.

[hawkhenries]

They sure look like turkey feathers to me~looks like a secondary wing feather...