Wild Turkey (Eastern Wild Turkey, Merriam's Wild Turkey)

The Wild Turkey is a large, distinctive ground-dwelling bird known for its iridescent plumage, bare blue and red head, fan-like tail, and impressive display rituals. Measuring up to 4 feet in length, males (gobblers) feature elaborate tail fans used during courtship displays.

Rich dark brown to blackish ground color prominently marked with regular, contrasting transverse bars or bands of light buff, cream, or whitish tones across the entire vane, terminating in a darker subterminal band and pale tip.

Strongly interlocked and pennaceous along the vane with well-developed barbicels forming a cohesive, durable surface. The base shows slight plumulaceous fluff.

Stiff, firm, and smooth with a matte finish. The vane is rigid and holds its shape well to withstand ground foraging and display activities.

Distinctive bold transverse barring of cream/buff and dark brown/black across a long, broad, symmetrically shaped rectrix with a robust pale rachis.

Mixed hardwood and pine forests with scattered openings, agricultural fields, woodlots, and swampy bottomlands offering foraging opportunities and roosting trees.

Widespread across North America, introduced into parts of Hawaii and various international locations. Native range spans most of the United States and portions of southern Canada and Mexico.

Serves as an important seed disperser, insect predator, and prey item for large raptors and mammalian predators, functioning as a key component of forest and grassland ecosystems.

Ring-necked Pheasant or Ruffed Grouse, but their tail feathers are significantly smaller, differently proportioned, and feature distinct color patterns.

Wild Turkeys can run at speeds up to 25 mph and fly in short bursts at speeds up to 55 mph. Despite their heavy bodies, they roost high in trees overnight to avoid predators.

Good condition with intact barbs and minimal fraying at the tip, showing a naturally robust structure with minor weathering.