Wild Turkey (Eastern Wild Turkey)

The Wild Turkey is a large, ground-dwelling bird known for its iridescent plumage, fan-shaped tail, and bare, colorful head of the male. They are iconic game birds with remarkable eyesight and hearing.

Dark iridescent brownish-black to bronze body with a distinct velvety black subterminal band and a pale buff or whitish tip, showcasing metallic copper and green iridescence under direct light.

Pennaceous terminal portion with tightly interlocked barbicels, transitioning into a fluffy plumulaceous base. Features a very distinct, long afterfeather (hyporachis) nearly matching the main feather in length, with loose barbs.

Smooth and glossy at the broad terminal portion with a metallic sheen, transitioning to soft and downy at the basal section and along the secondary afterfeather shaft.

Broad rounded tip with a dark subterminal band and light edge, combined with a prominent second shaft (afterfeather) and bronze-black iridescence.

Mixed hardwood and pine forests with scattered clearings, agricultural fields, swamps, and open woodlands offering abundant mast and roosting trees.

Native to North America, ranging across forested regions of the United States, parts of southern Canada, and down into central Mexico. Successfully introduced to various other regions globally.

Acts as an important seed disperser, predator of insects and small reptiles, and serves as prey for large raptors and mammalian carnivores.

Other large gallinaceous birds like grouse or pheasants, though their body feathers generally lack the distinctive broad bronze-tipped shape and massive afterfeather of a Wild Turkey.

Turkeys can fly in short bursts up to 55 mph and can swim by tucking their wings and kicking. Despite their heavy body, they roost high in trees overnight to avoid predators.

Good condition with minor wear and slight separation of a few barbs near the midsection, but generally intact and retaining strong structural integrity.