Wild Turkey
Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Chordata; Class: Aves; Order: Galliformes; Family: Phasianidae; Genus: Meleagris; Species: Meleagris gallopavo · Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Turkeys) · Secondary flight feather (Remex)
Species
Meleagris gallopavo
Feather Type
Secondary flight feather (Remex)
Family
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Turkeys)
Shape
Broad and slightly asymmetrical with a rounded, blunt tip. The feather is somewhat rectangular in overall outline with a slight curvature.
Size
Approximately 8 to 10 inches in length. This is consistent with the mid-range for an adult Wild Turkey secondary feather.
Rarity
Very Common. Populations are robust and widespread across their natural range.
Color & Pattern
Base color is a dark brown to charcoal grey with distinct, irregular off-white or cream-colored horizontal bars. The pattern is typical of the mottled appearance across the wing surface.
Barb Structure
Mostly pennaceous and stiff toward the top, becoming more plumulaceous (downy) at the base. The barbs are currently separated due to wear, revealing the branching structure.
Texture & Surface
Stiff and somewhat coarse. The surface is matte rather than glossy, designed for durable ground-dwelling life and powerful burst flight.
Description
A large, heavy-bodied ground bird with long legs, a wide fan-shaped tail, and iridescent bronze-green plumage. The wings are dark with light barring, as seen in this feather. Males are larger with fleshy wattles and 'beards'.
Key Features
Bold horizontal cream-and-brown banding (barring), broad rounded tip, and a very thick, sturdy central rachis.
Habitat
Open woodlands, hardwood forests with scattered openings, pastures, and fields. They require large trees for roosting at night.
Geographic Range
Year-round resident across most of North America, from southern Canada throughout the United States and into parts of Mexico.
Condition Notes
Fair to Poor. The feather shows significant 'zipper' separation (unhooked barbules) and some fraying at the edges, suggesting it was naturally molted and exposed to the elements or mechanical wear.
Interesting Facts
Wild Turkeys were nearly hunted to extinction in the early 20th century but have undergone one of the most successful wildlife restoration efforts in history. Benjamin Franklin famously praised them as a more 'respectable' bird than the Bald Eagle.
Ecological Role
Omnivorous foragers that consume seeds, nuts, and insects. They serve as a major prey source for large predators and help in seed dispersal.
Similar Species
Great Horned Owl feathers have similar barring but are much softer/velvety to the touch for silent flight. Red-tailed Hawk feathers are more tapered and have different spacing in their banding.