What is a consequence of having one broken tail feather on a raptor?

When a raptor has one broken tail feather, it can significantly weaken the tail overall, which is crucial for flight stability and maneuverability. The tail feathers play a vital role in controlling flight direction and balance; thus, a broken feather disrupts this functionality.

In particular, the damaged feather may lead to increased stress on the surrounding feathers during flight, as they must compensate for the loss of aerodynamic efficiency. This added strain can, over time, result in the adjacent feathers also becoming damaged or broken. As a consequence, the overall integrity of the tail is compromised, impacting the bird's ability to fly effectively and perform necessary maneuvers. Therefore, the situation can lead to a cascade of issues, affecting not just the broken feather but the entire tail structure and subsequent flight performance.