Wild Turkey

The Wild Turkey is a large, ground-dwelling bird known for its fan-shaped tail and bald, colorful head. This feather exhibits the classic dark coloration and irregular white barring found on the wings of both males (toms) and females (hens).

Overall dark iridescent brown to blackish base color. It features prominent white to off-white mottling or 'barring' along the outer edges of the vane, which is a diagnostic trait for this species' wing feathers.

The distal portion is pennaceous with tightly interlocked barbs creating a solid vane; the proximal base is highly plumulaceous (fluffy) for insulation.

Smooth and somewhat stiff on the main vane; the upper surface has a slight waxy gloss typical of ground-dwelling birds that need water-resistance.

Bold white mottling on a dark brown background, rounded tip, and a very fluffy, white downy base characteristic of Galliformes.

Open woodlands, hardwood forests with scattered openings, pastures, and agricultural fields.

Resident throughout most of North America from southern Canada throughout the United States to central Mexico.

Omnivorous ground-foragers that help control insect populations and act as seed dispersers. They are a primary prey species for large predators.

Black Vulture (lacks white mottling), Red-tailed Hawk (different shape and light/dark banding), and large owls (which would have a soft, velvety texture for silent flight).

Wild Turkeys were once proposed by Benjamin Franklin as the national bird of the United States. They are surprisingly fast, capable of running up to 25 mph and flying up to 55 mph over short distances.

Excellent condition. The vane is intact with no significant fraying or fault bars (nutritional stress marks). The calamus is clean, suggesting it was naturally molted.