Wild Turkey

This is a classic tail feather from a Wild Turkey, North America's largest game bird. These birds are heavy-bodied with long legs and a distinctive fan-shaped tail. Males are known for their iridescent plumage and red fleshy wattles used in spring courtship displays.

Rich iridescent coppery-brown base with dark chocolate-brown to black horizontal barring. Features a prominent wide black subterminal band and a buff to cinnamon-colored terminal tip typical of the Eastern subspecies.

Densely interlocked pennaceous barbs throughout most of the vane, transitioning to a softer, plumulaceous (downy) structure at the very base near the calamus.

Relatively stiff and coarse with a slight iridescent sheen on the dark bands when viewed in direct light. The surface is matte compared to waterfowl but smoother than owl feathers.

Bold horizontal dark brown barring, wide black subterminal band near the tip, and a lighter buff terminal edge.

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

Common throughout North America, ranging from southern Canada through the United States and into parts of Mexico.

Major seed disperser and prey species for large predators like coyotes and bobcats. They help control insect populations through ground scratching and foraging.

May be confused with a female Ring-necked Pheasant tail feather, but Turkey feathers are much larger and broader with more distinct barring.

Benjamin Franklin famously preferred the Wild Turkey over the Bald Eagle as a symbol for the United States, calling it a 'Bird of Courage'. They can fly up to 55 mph in short bursts.

Fair to Good. There is significant fraying (splitting of the barbs) on the left side of the vane, suggesting it was molted or weathered on the ground for some time.