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 asymmetrical with a rounded tip; the vane is relatively stiff and wide, typical of ground-dwelling gallinaceous birds.
Size
Approximately 8 to 10 inches in length. This is consistent with the mid-sized secondary feathers of an adult Wild Turkey, which generally range between 7 and 12 inches.
Rarity
Common; populations have successfully rebounded across North America due to conservation efforts and are regularly encountered in varied rural and suburban environments.
Color & Pattern
Dark brownish-black base coloration with distinct, iridescent coppery sheens visible in light. It features characteristic white or cream-colored horizontal barring (bands) across the vane. The underside is a more matte grey-brown.
Barb Structure
The distal portion is pennaceous with tightly interlocked barbs for flight efficiency, while the proximal base (near the calamus) features plumulaceous, downy barbs for insulation.
Texture & Surface
The surface is somewhat coarse and stiff to the touch on the outer vane, with a matte appearance that can exhibit a metallic gloss when angled toward the sun.
Description
The Wild Turkey is a large, ground-dwelling bird with a heavy body and long neck. This feather reflects the bird's rugged nature: it is sturdy with bold white banding against a dark iridescent background. Adult males (toms) are much larger and more colorful than females (hens), though both possess these barred wing feathers.
Key Features
Bold white horizontal barring on a dark background, thick off-white rachis, and the broad, rounded shape characteristic of Galliformes.
Habitat
Open woodlands, hardwood forests with scattered clearings, and agricultural fields where they forage for nuts, seeds, and insects.
Geographic Range
Resident across most of North America, from southern Canada throughout the United States to central Mexico. They are non-migratory but may shift ranges based on food availability.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. There is significant separation of the barbs on the left side of the vane (splitting), likely due to natural wear, wind, or handling after molting.
Interesting Facts
Benjamin Franklin famously praised the Wild Turkey as a 'Bird of Courage' and a 'true original Native of America,' contrasting it with the Bald Eagle which he viewed as having 'bad moral character.'
Ecological Role
Omnivorous foragers that act as seed dispersers and are a major prey species for apex predators like cougars, bobcats, and golden eagles.
Similar Species
Can be confused with Barred Owl feathers, but owl feathers have a soft, 'velvety' fringe for silent flight and lacks the stiff, coarse texture of the turkey feather.