Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo · Partridges, Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies
The Wild Turkey is a large, ground-dwelling bird native to North America, known for its distinctive appearance and vocalizations. It is the ancestor of the domestic turkey and a significant conservation success story, having rebounded from near extinction in many areas. These adaptable birds are a familiar sight in various wooded habitats.
Explore the full field guideResidentLarge-bodiedGobbling voiceOmnivorous
4 calls·first heard Jul 4·last 27d ago
When it's heardpeak 7a · fall
5a12p9p
How to know it
- Large, dark-feathered body with a bronze-green iridescence. Wings are dark with bold white barring.
- Bare skin on the head and neck, varying in color from red, blue, to gray depending on season and mood.
- Large, fan-shaped tail, often broadly tipped with rusty or white, depending on subspecies.
- Adult males (toms) are larger, with a tuft of feathers (beard) on the chest and spurs on the lower legs. They display vibrant facial wattles during courtship.