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

The Wild Turkey is a large, distinctive ground-dwelling bird known for its iridescent bronze plumage, fan-shaped tail, and bare, colorful head. While primarily ground-dwelling and reluctant to fly, they are capable of powerful, rapid bursts of flight to reach forest roosts at dusk.

Dark brownish-black to blackish base color with prominent white or buff-cream barring near the outer edges, characteristic of the wing primaries of a Wild Turkey.

Pennaceous vane structure with tightly interlocked barbs and strong barbicels forming a durable, flat surface. No afterfeather on this flight feather. Intact and well-maintained condition.

Stiff, smooth, and semi-glossy texture with high rigidity to withstand air resistance during flight.

Large size, thick pale rachis, dark brownish-black vane with distinct white or buff barring along the outer webs.

Mixed hardwood and pine forests with scattered openings, clearings, fields, and agricultural lands with access to water sources.

Native to North America, widely distributed across the United States, parts of southern Canada, and northern Mexico.

Acts as both a seed disperser and an important prey species for large mammalian and avian predators, helping maintain forest and grassland ecosystem dynamics.

Other large gallinaceous birds, but the specific combination of large size, dark color, and crisp white/buff barring easily distinguishes Wild Turkey wing feathers from raptors or waterfowl.

Wild Turkeys can run at speeds up to 25 mph and fly in short bursts at speeds up to 55 mph. Despite their heavy build, they are surprisingly agile and roost high in trees at night to escape predators.

Good to Excellent condition, showing clean edges, minimal wear, and intact barbs with no major structural damage or fading.