Wild Turkey

A large, ground-dwelling bird with a heavy body and long legs. Males have a naked head with red/blue wattles and a distinct 'beard'. This feather is part of the large tail used in elaborate courtship displays.

Dark brown to black base with numerous fine, buff to copper-colored horizontal barring and vermiculations; terminal end features a broad dark subterminal band and a lighter buff-colored tip

Densely pennaceous throughout most of the vane for rigidity, becoming plumulaceous (downy) at the very base (calamus area)

Stiff and somewhat coarse to the touch; the surface has a matte to slightly iridescent sheen depending on light angle

Wide, flat shape; fine copper barring; broad black subterminal band; large size characteristic of Galliformes

Open woodlands, mature forests with interspersed clearings, and agricultural fields

Native to North America, ranging from southern Canada through the United States to central Mexico

Omnivorous forager that disperses seeds and serves as a major prey species for large predators

Female (Hen) Turkey feathers are smaller and duller; Golden Eagle feathers are similar size but lack the fine horizontal barring and distinct subterminal band

Benjamin Franklin famously joked that the Turkey would be a more 'respectable' national bird than the Bald Eagle, calling it a bird of courage.

Fair to Good; shows some wear and separation of the barbs (venting) along the right edge and distal tip