jlevy@cbnewsd.att.com (janet.s.levy) (04/24/91)
Here's a challenge for you SUPER-birders (you know who you are). What did this feather come from? I found a feather in the street in front of my house (western Chicago suburb). In case it is a protected raptor feather, be assured that I will return it to the street tonight before the authorities arrest me. The feather is two inches wide and six inches long (not counting the shaft). It is a barred feather. The upper (thinner) side has dark brown, slightly mottled thick bars on mottled cream background. The bars become thinner and more solid brown as they cross to the lower (wider) side and begin to break up at the feather edges. On this side they are on a reddish ochre background. Is this a redtail feather? Don't owl feathers have little hooks or something - I don't detect any through a magnifying glass. Inquiring minds want to know. Janet Levy jsl@ihlpm.ATT.COM