What does the presence of blood feathers indicate about a hawk?

The presence of blood feathers in a hawk indicates that it is young and still in development. Blood feathers are newly grown feathers that are still being supplied with blood to nourish them as they grow. These feathers are usually found on younger birds as they undergo their developmental stages. Once the feathers fully mature, the blood supply recedes, and the feather becomes a regular flight feather without a blood supply.

In this context, the other options don't accurately reflect the significance of blood feathers. While molting is a process that happens throughout a bird's life, blood feathers specifically pertain to young birds during their development. A hawk that is injured would show signs of trauma or distress, and being fully mature would imply that all feathers have finished growing and do not present with blood. Therefore, blood feathers specifically point to a hawk that is still progressing through its growth stages.