Wild Turkey
NameWild Turkey
Common NameWild Turkey
Scientific NameMeleagris gallopavo
FamilyPhasianidae
Wingspan (cm)130
Length (cm)100
Weight (g)6000
Plumage DetailsPlumage is iridescent, appearing bronze, copper, green, red, and gold depending on the light. The body feathers are dark, often with metallic sheens. The tail feathers are barred brown and black. The head and neck are largely featherless, displaying red, white, and blue skin that can change color with the bird's mood. Males typically have a 'beard' of coarse, bristle-like feathers on their chest.
Vocalization / CallMales are famous for their loud, rapid 'gobble' call, used to attract mates. Both sexes produce a variety of other vocalizations including clucks, purrs, yelps, putts, and kee-kees.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsforest, woodland, forest edge, agricultural land
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeNative to North America, found across much of the eastern, central, and southwestern United States, as well as parts of southern Canada and Mexico.
Identifying Featureslarge size, iridescent plumage, bare, warty head and neck, fan-shaped tail (especially males), gobbling call, beard (males)
Description
The Wild Turkey is a large, ground-dwelling bird native to North America, characterized by its iridescent plumage and bare, warty head and neck. They are known for their distinctive gobbling call, especially by males during breeding season, and typically roost in trees at night.
