Wild Turkey
Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Chordata; Class: Aves; Order: Galliformes; Family: Phasianidae; Genus: Meleagris; Species: Meleagris gallopavo · Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Turkeys) · Body Contour feather
Species
Meleagris gallopavo
Feather Type
Body Contour feather
Family
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Turkeys)
Shape
Symmetrical and broad; squared or flattened tip with a distinct straight horizontal edge, slightly flared towards the distal end.
Size
Approximately 4-6 inches in length. This is a standard size for a male turkey's breast or flank contour feather.
Rarity
Very Common; widespread and numerous across their range.
Color & Pattern
Base color is a dark charcoal gray to brown. The tip features a striking metallic iridescent band showing copper, gold, and green hues, followed by a thin velvet-black subterminal band and a dark brown edge.
Barb Structure
The lower half is highly plumulaceous (downy and fluffy) for thermoregulation, while the upper half is pennaceous (flat and interlocked) with a stiff, iridescent structure.
Texture & Surface
Lower portion is soft and downy; the upper pennaceous portion is smooth and glossy with a metallic sheen. The tip feels slightly stiff due to heavy melanisation.
Description
Large, heavy-bodied ground birds with long necks and naked heads. Males (toms) are covered in dark, iridescent feathers like this one, which they use in displays to attract mates. They have a massive wingspan and powerful legs.
Key Features
Squared-off tip with a metallic iridescent gold/green band and a black subterminal line. The dual-texture (half-fluffy, half-firm) is a classic Galliform trait.
Habitat
Open woodlands, mixed coniferous-deciduous forests, and clearings/agricultural fields.
Geographic Range
Common throughout North America, from southern Canada through the United States to central Mexico.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. The feather shows significant 'zipper' separation in the distal vane, likely due to mechanical wear or handling, though the iridescence remains vivid.
Interesting Facts
Wild Turkeys were once considered by Benjamin Franklin as a more 'respectable' national bird than the Bald Eagle. They can fly up to 55 mph in short bursts.
Ecological Role
Omnivorous foragers that act as seed dispersers and provide a major food source for large predators like bobcats and coyotes.
Similar Species
Ocellated Turkey (more blue/eye-spots), Ruffed Grouse (smaller, lacks the broad iridescent band), or various Pheasant species (usually more pointed).