Wild Turkey
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Galliformes, Family: Phasianidae, Genus: Meleagris, Species: Meleagris gallopavo · Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Turkeys) · Contour (Body Feather), likely from the lower back or rump area.
Species
Meleagris gallopavo
Feather Type
Contour (Body Feather), likely from the lower back or rump area.
Family
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Turkeys)
Shape
Broad and fan-shaped with a squared or slightly rounded distal tip. The vanes are relatively symmetrical.
Size
Approximately 3 to 5 inches in length. This is consistent with intermediate-sized body contour feathers for an adult Wild Turkey.
Rarity
Very Common. Populations have recovered significantly due to conservation efforts and are now abundant across their range.
Color & Pattern
Rich chestnut or iridescent bronze base with distinct dark brown to black horizontal barring. The tip features a broad, dark subterminal band followed by a lighter buff or copper edge.
Barb Structure
The lower portion is plumulaceous (downy) for insulation, while the upper portion is pennaceous (flat and structured). The barbs in this specimen are notably worn and separated (frayed).
Texture & Surface
Coarse and stiff in the pennaceous section with a semi-glossy, metallic iridescence when viewed in sunlight. The lower plumulaceous section is very soft.
Description
This is a large ground-dwelling bird with a heavy body and long neck. While the bird is mostly dark with iridescent highlights, the individual feathers show intricate banding that provides excellent camouflage in leaf litter.
Key Features
Distinctive copper-bronze iridescence combined with bold, dark horizontal bars and a squared-off tip.
Habitat
Open woodlands, hardwood forests with scattered openings, and agricultural fields. They prefer areas with tall trees for roosting and dense ground cover for nesting.
Geographic Range
Common across North America, from Southern Canada through the United States to Central Mexico. They are year-round residents and do not migrate.
Condition Notes
Poor to Fair. The feather shows significant mechanical wear, with the barbs detached from one another and splitting at the distal end, typical of a naturally molted feather or one found in leaf litter.
Interesting Facts
Wild Turkeys were nearly hunted to extinction by the early 1900s, but intensive management has led to one of the most successful wildlife recovery stories in history.
Ecological Role
Omnivorous foragers that act as seed dispersers and prey for large predators. They serve as an important indicator species for forest health.
Similar Species
Ruffed Grouse feathers are similar but much smaller and lighter. Domestic Turkey feathers often show more white/stark tipping depending on the breed.