Wild Turkey

A large, heavy-bodied ground bird. This feather represents the intricate camouflage of the Wild Turkey. The alternating dark and light barred pattern allows the bird to disappear into the dappled light of the forest floor.

Rich earthy tones featuring a buff-to-tan base with dark brown/black vermiculations (wavy lines). Sub-terminal dark bands and a lighter speckled tip are visible. No iridescence is present on this specific specimen, suggesting it is from a female or a non-iridescent portion of a male.

The lower portion is highly plumulaceous (downy) for insulation, while the upper distal half is pennaceous with interlocked barbs creating a cohesive vane.

The pennaceous tip is somewhat stiff and smooth with a matte finish, while the plumulaceous base is extremely soft, silky, and voluminous.

Distinctive wavy brown vermiculations, a rounded tip, and a very large, fuzzy downy base characteristic of the order Galliformes.

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

Common throughout most of North America, from southern Canada through the United States and into parts of Mexico.

Omnivorous foragers that act as seed dispersers and insect population controllers; they are a vital prey species for large predators.

Ruffed Grouse (smaller, different banding) or Female Ring-necked Pheasant (more tapered, different spotting).

Wild Turkeys were once proposed by Benjamin Franklin as the national bird of the United States. They can fly at speeds up to 55 mph over short distances.

Fair to Good. There is significant ruffling of the barbs and some separation in the vane, likely from being molted or handled.