Wild Turkey (Eastern Wild Turkey)

The Wild Turkey is a large, ground-dwelling bird known for its iconic fan-shaped tail, iridescent bronze body plumage, bare blue-and-red head, and distinct beard-like chest feathers in males. They are powerful runners and capable, though short-distance, fliers.

Striking pattern of alternating black and brown transverse bars (buff and chestnut brown) across a greyish-brown background, culminating in a distinct subterminal black band and a pale buff or whitish tip.

Tightly interlocked (pennaceous) along the main vane with strong barbicels, small plumulaceous base near the follicle attachment, condition is intact and sturdy.

Stiff, smooth, and matte finish with a rigid vane designed to act as a rudder during flight and display during courtship.

Bold black and brown transverse barring across a wide, stiff vane, ending in a prominent subterminal black band and pale tip, characteristic of a central tail feather.

Mixed hardwood and pine forests with scattered clearings, agricultural fields, swamps, and mature woodlands providing open understories and roosting trees.

Native and widely distributed across North America, ranging from wooded areas of southern Canada through the United States down to central Mexico.

Serves as an important seed disperser, insect predator, and a key prey item for large mammalian and avian predators, acting as an indicator of healthy forest and grassland ecosystems.

Other large gallinaceous birds such as the Ocellated Turkey (Meleagris ocellata) or large grouse, though the distinct color banding and size easily distinguish the Wild Turkey.

Wild Turkeys can run at speeds up to 25 mph and fly up to 55 mph for short bursts. Benjamin Franklin famously praised the turkey, though he never formally proposed it as the national bird.

Good condition with intact barbs, minor natural wear at the very tip, no significant fading or structural damage.