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 somewhat symmetrical with a rounded to slightly squared tip; lacks the strong asymmetry characteristic of primary feathers.
Size
Approximately 8 to 11 inches in length and 2 to 3 inches in width, which is consistent with the secondary wing feathers of an adult Wild Turkey.
Rarity
Common; populations have successfully recovered across their range and they are frequently seen in both rural and suburban outskirts.
Color & Pattern
Distinctive bold, alternating transverse bars of dark iridescent bronze-brown and creamy off-white to buff. The pattern is crisp and regular across the entire vane.
Barb Structure
Mostly pennaceous and tightly interlocked for flight efficiency, becoming plumulaceous (downy) only at the very base near the calamus.
Texture & Surface
Relatively stiff and smooth, with a slight matte to low-sheen finish on the dark bands and a soft, velvety texture on the lighter bands.
Description
This is a prominent wing feather from the Wild Turkey, North America's largest game bird. The bird itself is heavy-bodied with long legs, a fan-shaped tail, and bare skin on the head. In flight, these barred feathers create a striking flickering pattern.
Key Features
The bold, high-contrast 'zebra' stripping or barring (brown and white) and the large, broad size of the feather are diagnostic for M. gallopavo.
Habitat
Open woodlands, hardwood forests with scattered openings, pastures, and agricultural fields.
Geographic Range
Native to North America; resident throughout most of the United States, Southern Canada, and parts of Mexico.
Condition Notes
Good to Fair; there is some separation of the barbs (zipper-like splitting) along the mid-vane, likely due to handling or wear after being molted.
Interesting Facts
Benjamin Franklin famously preferred the Wild Turkey over the Bald Eagle as a national symbol, calling it a 'Bird of Courage.' They can fly up to 55 mph in short bursts.
Ecological Role
Large-scale seed dispersers and an important prey species for apex predators. They act as indicators of healthy forest-to-field edge habitats.
Similar Species
Some Large Owl feathers (like Great Horned Owl) have barring but are much softer/fuzzy for silent flight. Domestic Turkey feathers often lack the crispness of wild specimens.