Wild Turkey

This is a primary flight feather from a Wild Turkey. The bird itself is a large, ground-dwelling galliform known for its iridescent bronze plumage, fan-shaped tail, and naked head with fleshy caruncles. Adult males (toms) are much larger than females (hens) and possess a distinct 'beard'.

Dull brownish-tan base coloration with faint, dark horizontal bars (bands) that have faded due to environmental exposure or age; the rachis is a light mahogany brown.

Principally pennaceous and tightly interlocked for flight efficiency; the barbs are stiff and resilient, though showing some wear at the tips.

The surface is stiff, relatively smooth, and matte; the trailing edge is more flexible while the leading edge is rigid and aerodynamic.

Large size, distinct asymmetry of the vane, thick curved rachis, and the vestigial barring pattern typical of the Meleagris genus.

Mature hardwood and mixed conifer-hardwood forests with open clearings, pastures, and agricultural fields.

Resident throughout Most of North America, from southern Canada throughout the United States to central Mexico.

Turkeys are important seed dispersers and serve as a significant prey species for large predators; they are indicators of healthy hardwood forest ecosystems.

Domestic Turkey feathers are almost identical but often cleaner/whiter; wing feathers of large birds of prey like the Golden Eagle differ in color and have deeper emarginations.

The Wild Turkey was Benjamin Franklin's preferred choice for the national bird over the Bald Eagle, as he considered it a bird of courage and a true native of America.

Fair to Good; the feather shows significant sun bleaching (lightening the dark bars) and some mechanical wear (fraying) along the distal barbs.