Wild Turkey

A large, unmistakable ground bird. Males (toms) are iridescent bronze with beard-like chest feathers, while females (hens) are duller brown. This feather shows the characteristic 'tiger-striping' found on the wings.

Mottled and barred pattern consisting of dark brownish-black and light tan or cream-colored horizontal bands. The rachis is light-colored/creamy.

Strongly pennaceous and interlocked for flight; the base shows some plumulaceous (fuzzy) barbs near the calamus.

Relatively stiff and coarse with a semi-matte finish. The surface is durable to withstand ground-level activities and brush contact.

Distinctive bold barring of dark and light brown/tan; broad, rounded tip; thick, pale rachis.

Open woodlands, forests with clearings, pastures, and agricultural fields.

Common throughout North America, from southern Canada through the United States to central Mexico.

Omnivorous ground foragers that disperse seeds and help control insect populations; they serve as a major prey source for large predators.

Great Horned Owl (which has softer, fringed edges for silent flight) or various large hawk feathers (which usually have different barring ratios).

Wild Turkeys can fly up to 55 mph and run up to 25 mph. Benjamin Franklin famously preferred them over the Bald Eagle as a national symbol.

Fair to Good. There is some separation of the barbs (zipper effect) and wear along the edges, likely from ground contact or being a molted specimen.