Wild Turkey

A large, ground-dwelling bird with a heavy body and long legs. The feather is a classic example of the robust tail feathers used in the male's iconic fan display. Adults have dark, iridescent plumage and a naked head with red, blue, and white skin.

Predominantly dark iridescent black to brownish-black with a subtle metallic sheen. A distinct lighter, buffy-gray to white plumulaceous base is visible near the calamus.

Pennaceous throughout most of the vane with visible plumulaceous (fluffy) down at the base; barbs are currently separated/frayed due to wear and exposure.

Coarse and stiff; the surface has a faint iridescent gloss when hit by light, though the current condition is somewhat matte due to weathering.

Large size, dark/black coloration with iridescent highlights, and a very thick, sturdy central rachis characteristic of large Galliformes.

Open woodlands, hardwood forests with scattered clearings, oak-hickory forests, and occasionally agricultural fields or suburban edges.

Found across North America, from southern Canada throughout the United States to central Mexico; non-migratory resident.

Omnivorous foragers that act as seed dispersers and prey for large predators. They serve as an important game species and indicator of forest health.

Black Vulture (shorter, broader), Common Raven (more tapered, different sheen), or Canada Goose (lacks iridescence and typically thinner barbs).

Wild Turkeys were nearly hunted to extinction by the early 1900s but are now one of the greatest success stories in wildlife conservation. Ben Franklin famously preferred them over the Bald Eagle as a national symbol.

Poor to Fair condition; the vane is heavily 'unzipped' (barbs separated), likely due to environmental exposure or scavenging after being molted.