Eagles, known for reaching the highest height, are often found in many kinds. Their feathers must have something special that lets them fly higher, even in a storm.
Eagle feathers are designed to let them soar through the air freely at far distances. The different types of feathers allow them to catch what they want and protect them in the worst conditions.
However, if you find them while hiking, how will you identify eagle feather and from which eagle it comes? We have designed an Eagle feather identification chart that reveals the eagle’s biography and unique history. In this article, you will learn to identify eagle feather, types of feathers, including facts about how they help them in their tasks.
Stick to the end of the article to learn about this inspiring bird.
Table of Contents
Eagle Feather Types
Like humans, eagles have different breeds, each with different feathers. So, before we get started with the identification of feathers, let’s first understand the types of feathers eagles have.
Every eagle has different types of feathers located at the tip of its wind. These feathers are not for show-offs but help them fly high and carry out their tasks efficiently.
Firstly, the primary feathers are placed on the overall body of the eagle. Primary/contour feathers are the steering wheel, which lets the eagle fly high.
They allow them to change directions and control speed and altitude. Secondly, the secondary feathers are placed just beneath the primary feathers.
They also allow them to dive, glide, or make sharp turns easily by just adjusting their feathers. They are also called flight feathers.
Eagles use their tail feathers to communicate and convey signals. They often spread out their tail feathers to signal other birds of their strength and dominance.
Down feathers are located under the primary feathers. They are fluffy and soft and provide warmth and insulation to eagles in top locations. Covert feathers are the small feathers that help the body of an eagle to streamline their flight.
| Eagle Feather Types | Description |
|---|---|
| Primary feather/ Contour feathers | Long, stiff, at wingtip, crucial for lift during flight. Narrow base and pointed tip. |
| Secondary Feather/ Flight feathers | Behind the primary feathers, slightly wider base, assist in controlling. |
| Tail Feather | Located at the rear position, it provides stability, long and broad shape, and helps in changing directions. To attract mates. |
| Covert Feather | Cover the base of primary and secondary feathers, and minimize air resistance. |
| Down Feather | Fluffy, soft feathers give warmth and insulation and lack a stiff shaft-branched structure. |
Also read: Owl Feather Identification Chart
How to Identify an Eagle Feather?
You can identify eagle feathers by closely observing multiple factors, including size, shape, color, age, patterns/texture, barbs, and location of feathers. The size of an eagle’s feathers is undeniably big and unique in structure.
Large Eagles, like Bald and golden eagles, have large feathers, whereas smaller species, like the Tawny eagle, have small feathers. Similarly, like size, the color of eagle feathers varies from dark brown and black to lighter brown and golden shades.
After color and size, age is the most common factor in identifying the eagle feather. Young Bald Eagles have a slight white shade on the base, whereas young golden eagles have prominent white patches. Such white patches will fade away as the eagle will mature.
Pattern also plays an important role in identifying Eagle feathers. Patterns can be of many types, like bands, spots, bars, or streaks.
The Bald Eagle Wing Feather has no marbling and fancy patterns, as it has a clean and sleek look. Whereas the golden eagle has spots, patches, and bars, which make a wavy pattern across the feather.
| Eagle Name | Feather Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Bald Eagle | Primary | Large, sturdy feathers typically found on the outer edge of the wing. |
| Secondary | Smaller feathers located closer to the body on the wing. | |
| Tail | Long, broad feathers forming the tail fan. | |
| Golden Eagle | Primary | Similar to Bald Eagle primaries but often with slightly different markings. |
| Secondary | Typically smaller and more uniform than primaries. | |
| Tail | Long, broad feathers with distinctive golden-brown coloration. | |
| White Eagle | Primary | Large, often white feathers found on the outer edge of the wing. |
| Secondary | Smaller white feathers with delicate markings. | |
| Tail | Long, white feathers forming the tail fan. | |
| Black Eagle | Primary | Large, dark feathers typically found on the outer edge of the wing. |
| Secondary | Smaller dark feathers with subtle variations in color. | |
| Tail | Long, dark feathers forming the tail fan. | |
| Martial Eagle | Primary | Large, powerful feathers with distinctive markings. |
| Secondary | Smaller feathers with similar markings to primaries. | |
| Tail | Long, broad feathers with bold patterns. | |
| Philippine Eagle | Primary | Large, robust feathers with unique coloration. |
| Secondary | Smaller feathers with similar coloration to primaries. | |
| Tail | Long, broad feathers with distinct markings. | |
| Aquila | Primary | Strong, sturdy feathers with characteristic patterns. |
| Secondary | Smaller feathers with similar patterns to primaries. | |
| Tail | Long, broad feathers with prominent markings. | |
| Black Solitary Eagle | Primary | Large, dark feathers with distinct markings. |
| Buteogallus Solitarius | Secondary | Smaller dark feathers with subtle variations in color. |
| Tail | Long, dark feathers forming the tail fan. | |
| Crested Eagle | Primary | Feathers with unique crested appearance. |
| Secondary | Smaller feathers with similar crested appearance. | |
| Tail | Long, broad feathers with crests at the tips. | |
| Eagle Pennell | Primary | Feathers with characteristic markings. |
| Secondary | Smaller feathers with similar markings to primaries. | |
| Tail | Long, broad feathers with distinctive coloration. | |
| Eastern Imperial Eagle | Primary | Large, robust feathers with bold patterns. |
| Secondary | Smaller feathers with similar patterns to primaries. | |
| Tail | Long, broad feathers with unique coloration. | |
| Hawk | Primary | Sleek, aerodynamic feathers with pointed tips. |
| Secondary | Smaller feathers with similar shape to primaries. | |
| Tail | Long, narrow feathers with sharp edges. | |
| Snake Eagle | Primary | Feathers with specialized adaptations for hunting snakes. |
| Secondary | Smaller feathers with similar adaptations to primaries. | |
| Tail | Long, broad feathers with adaptations for flight and hunting. |
Are Eagle Feathers Valuable?
The highest-ever feather sold at auction was a single huia tail feather. The feather was bought in June 2010 for NZ $8000, which was more than $500 the bidders had predicted.
Another auction of a bald eagle feather in the U.S. set the previous record rate for a single feather at $ 2800 (NZ $4000). Two federal statutes, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, provide direct protection for eagles.
These regulations forbid various actions, including ownership, selling, and purchasing of eagle feathers and different parts. Eagle Feathers are legally sold on websites like eBay within the $10 – $500 range. Such websites have different types of eagle feathers for sale and purchase.
Also read: Hawk Feather Identification Chart
Conclusion
Feathers are the eagle’s valuable asset, which allows them to fly above the clouds and help them reach their aims. Eagles use different feathers for different tasks. Separate feathers are used to maintain balance, change directions, communicate, or hunt. You can quickly identify eagle feather types with the eagle identification chart.
Many factors, like color, pattern, design, and location, are helpful in identifying the eagle feather. Color and patterns always have prominent differences that separate them from other feathers.
Eagle feathers are essential and are used on many significant religious and ecological occasions. Selling and buying eagle feathers is restricted, but some enthusiasts are still willing to pay hefty prices for them.