““Because of the Golden Eagle's great strength and courage, the American Indian admired this bird and prized his feathers above all other adornments. The thirteen tail feathers of the adult bird were considered to possess great medicine. These feathers, which are white with dark brown tips, measure 12 to 14 inches in length. The eagle's wing feathers (pinion feathers) were also used for war bonnets, bustles, and other ceremonial regalia. Many times the Indian would make an entire war bonnet from one eagle, using the long tail feathers in the front, and the wing feathers in graduated sizes down the back. The right wing feathers would be used on the right side of the bonnet, and the left wing feathers on the left side of the bonnet. The plumes or fluff feathers that grow at the base of the bird's tail were used by the Indians for the base of the larger feathers. The two largest plumes from the bird were called breath feathers by the Indians because of their lightness; the slightest breath would cause them to move as though they were breathing. These two feathers were sometimes 8 inches long and were valued as highly as brown-tipped tail feathers.””
