Wild Turkey

Large, heavy-bodied ground birds with long necks and legs. Adults have iridescent bronze-green plumage. This feather highlights the striking disruptive coloration of the wings, which helps camouflage the bird when folded but creates a blurred pattern during heavy takeoffs.

Boldly barred pattern of dark chocolate brown to black alternating with crisp white to creamy-buff bands. The dark bands are wider than the light bands. No iridescence is visible on this specific flight feather.

Densely interlocked pennaceous barbs throughout most of the vane; base shows some softer plumulaceous (downy) structure. The barbs are stiff and resilient.

Stiff, smooth, and matte. The surface is durable and somewhat waxy to provide wind resistance and protection while moving through brush.

Distinctive 'zebra' barring of dark brown and white, broad rounded shape, and the presence of a thick, rigid rachis typical of Galliformes.

Open woodlands, coniferous and deciduous forests, and clearings. In the Carson National Forest, they are often found in Ponderosa Pine and Gambel Oak habitats.

Year-round resident throughout much of North America, from southern Canada into Mexico. The Merriam's subspecies is common in the mountainous regions of New Mexico.

Omnivorous foragers that control insect populations and disperse seeds. They serve as a major prey source for mountain lions and coyotes.

Great Horned Owl feathers (softer, velvety texture, blurred edges); Northern Flicker (smaller, different colors); other large hawks (usually lack such precise, sharp white-on-dark barring).

Wild Turkeys were almost hunted to extinction by the early 20th century but have staged a legendary recovery. Ben Franklin famously preferred them as a national symbol over the Bald Eagle.

Good to Fair. There is some minor separation of the barbs (zipper effect) along the trailing edge and slight wear at the tip, suggesting a naturally molted feather.

Carson national Forest, Angel Fire, New Mexico