Feather ID....

[alisonclair]

Hi

Could anyone tell me who this feather used to belong to? It is 15.5 inches long, so a big bird. Looked up pheasant, but couldn't find a piccie anything like this one, and also Red Kite, but again nothing similar. My mind has gone blank (not unusual), and so can't think of anything else it could be!!

Ta very much

Alison

[Dogghound]

Where did you find it?

[alisonclair]

it was found in a village in East Northamptonshire

[Dogghound]

Sorry I meant what habitat.

[Picidae]

my guess would be a primary of a Peacock - a transitionary feather between the rust and black ones, perhaps a 'mottled' variety!? An outer flight feather of a Herring Gull is about 12" and the pointer (longest) primary of a Pheasant is about 15" so this should give you a very rough idea of size of bird.

[RKB]

I agree, I think peafowl is most likely.

[alisonclair]

Hiya

Thanks for your replies - peacock/peahen is very likely. My b/f works in village where there are peacocks and peahens roaming around, and as it was found in the road, I would guess this is most likely. It did cross my mind first of all, but the colour put me off.

Thanks again guys

Alison

[aeshna5]

Peacock didn't cross my mind, but having been to Kew today + looking at a couple of males there, agree this is a good call.

[animartco]

A black winged or cross peacock.