Identifying a feather you found can be a fun and educational experience! With over 10,000 species of birds in the world, each with their own unique plumage, it can also be a challenging task. However, by following some basic steps and using a few online resources, you can get closer to determining which type of feather you have discovered.
Take Note of the Feather’s Size
One of the first things to look at when trying to identify a feather is its size. Feathers come in a huge range of dimensions, from just an inch or two long in small songbirds, to over 3 feet long in large birds of prey. Just by taking into account the feather’s length and width, you can narrow down the possibilities of which bird it may have come from. For example, if you found a feather that is 8-12 inches long, you can rule out smaller birds like sparrows and know to look instead at mid-sized birds like pigeons, doves, and gulls.
Examine the Feather’s Shape
The overall shape and structure of a feather can also offer clues as to which type of bird it belonged to. Here are some shapes and parts to look for:
- Symmetrical shape: Most flight feathers on wings have a symmetrical, aerodynamic shape to help a bird fly. These tend to be stiffer and have a prominent central shaft called a rachis.
- Downy shape: Down feathers that help insulate a bird’s body are very soft and fluffy, without a defined central shaft.
- Decorative shape: Tail feathers and other display feathers often have elaborate shapes, lengths, colors, and textures. These are used to attract mates and help with courtship.
- Afterfeather: Many feathers have a second smaller “afterfeather” attached at the base.
Paying attention to these kinds of structural characteristics will provide more clues as to which bird group the feather may have come from.
Note the Feather’s Color Pattern
The colors and patterns on a feather can provide some of the best clues as to which species it belonged to. Many birds have very distinct plumage markings that set them apart from other closely related species. For example:
- A mostly bright red feather likely comes from a cardinal or Northern Flicker woodpecker
- Black and white banding often indicates a Downy woodpecker or chickadee
- Iridescent blues and greens point to Mallard ducks or peacocks
- A solid brown feather could come from a sparrow, wren, or hawk
- Heavy black speckling is seen on many songbird species like towhees
Make notes on the colors you observe, especially unique patterns like spots, bars, gradients or iridescence. Details like this will be extremely helpful for narrowing down possibilities.
Consider Where You Found the Feather
The location where you discovered a feather provides hints based on what birds are native to that habitat. For example:
- Coastal beach feathers likely come from gulls, terns, pelicans, or other waterbirds
- Forest feathers may come from woodpeckers, jays, owls, or wild turkeys
- Feathers found in towns or backyard feeders could come from doves, chickadees, sparrows, or starlings
- Desert feathers may come from roadrunners, quail, or ravens
Think about the feathers you may expect to find in the type of environment where it was located. This can significantly narrow down the possibilities.
Consult a Field Guide
One of the best resources for identifying feathers is a photographic bird field guide. These books show detailed images of different feather types on various bird species. Once you have taken notes on your feather’s key characteristics, you can flip through a field guide to find photos of feathers that look similar.
Some things to look for in the guide photos include size, shape, colors, patterning, and whether key features match like the afterfeather or downy texture. A great field guide will allow you to zero in on the exact species of bird the feather likely came from.
Use Online Feather ID Tools
In addition to field guides, there are many useful online tools and mobile apps to aid identifying feathers:
- eBird’s Feather Expert: Upload a photo of your feather and get possible matches based on visual search.
- Audubon’s Guide to North American Birds: Detailed descriptions and feathers images for over 800 species.
- All About Birds Feather Finder: Narrow down feathers by color, pattern, and other attributes.
- Merlin Bird ID: Snap a photo of the feather on this app and get bird matches ranked by likelihood.
These kinds of search-by-image tools are extremely helpful for confirming what species a feather likely originated from based on your observations.
Submit Photos to Online Forums
If you are still uncertain what type of feather you have after consulting guides and resources, consider uploading clear photos of it to online birding forums and asking for help. Communities like Reddit’s r/whatsthisbird are full of knowledgeable bird enthusiasts who enjoy the challenge of identifying mystery feathers.
Just be sure to provide detailed photos from multiple angles plus notes on where it was found and any key characteristics. With the power of crowdsourcing, someone will likely be able to provide the definitive ID!
Consider Consulting an Ornithologist
For very unique or challenging feathers that can’t be identified through other means, consider reaching out to an ornithology expert for assistance. Many natural history museums have ornithology departments where you can send photos and details to the resident feather experts.
You can also search online for ornithology professors at nearby universities who may be able to conclusively identify the feather for you. Having an advanced degree in bird biology makes ornithologists uniquely qualified to pin down the species.
Conclusion
Identifying a mysterious feather takes patience and detective work, but following these steps will help reveal which amazing bird it came from. Pay close attention to size, shape, colors, patterns and where it was discovered. Consult field guides and online resources to match the feather’s visual characteristics. And don’t be afraid to enlist more knowledgeable birders if you need assistance. With some perseverance, you can crack the feather’s code!
