Wild Turkey (Eastern Wild Turkey, Merriam's Wild Turkey)

The Wild Turkey is a large, distinctive ground-dwelling bird known for its iridescent bronze-green plumage, fan-shaped tail, and bare, colorful head of the male (gobbler). Females (hens) are generally smaller and duller in coloration. They are strong runners and capable, though reluctant, flyers, preferring to roost high in trees at night.

Rich warm brown and tan background intricately barred and vermiculated with fine black and dark brown wavy lines. The terminal tip shows a distinct dark band. The lower downy section is pale beige or off-white. The central rachis is stout and light tan/cream colored.

The upper portion features tightly interlocked, pennaceous barbs with strong hooklets creating a smooth, firm vane. The lower portion features loose, fluffy, plumulaceous barbs lacking rigid interlocks. No prominent afterfeather is visible in this specific view.

Pennaceous upper tip is smooth, firm, and matte in appearance. The lower base is soft, downy, and fluffy to the touch, providing excellent thermal insulation against the skin.

Intricate black and brown vermiculated barring across a warm tan or bronze background, a broad rounded tip, a stout cream-colored rachis, and a large fluffy downy base. The handle is customized with indigenous-style beadwork.

Mature deciduous and mixed conifer-hardwood forests with scattered openings, clearings, pastures, and agricultural fields. They require large trees for roosting and access to water sources.

Native across North America, widely distributed throughout the United States, parts of southern Canada, and Mexico. Introduced and successfully established in various other regions globally.

Turkeys act as important seed dispersers and insect predators, helping control populations of grasshoppers, beetles, and caterpillars. They also serve as an important prey base for large mammalian and avian predators.

Ring-necked Pheasant or Ruffed Grouse body feathers share similar barring patterns but are significantly smaller in scale. Domestic turkey feathers can also appear nearly identical depending on the breed.

Wild Turkeys can run at speeds up to 25 mph and fly in short bursts at speeds up to 55 mph. Benjamin Franklin famously argued for the turkey, rather than the bald eagle, to be chosen as the national symbol of the United States.

Good condition. The pennaceous vane is mostly intact with minor natural wear at the very edge. The fluffy base is clean and intact. Note: The feather's quill is fitted into a decorative beaded handle/wrap.