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Help develop a Bird ID tool!

Wild Turkey

Meleagris gallopavo ORDER: GALLIFORMES FAMILY: PHASIANIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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The Wild Turkey was a very important food animal to Native Americans, but it was eliminated from much of its range by the early 1900s. Introduction programs have successfully established it in most of its original range, and even into areas where it never occurred before.

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Appearance

Gamebirds
Gamebirds
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Large, dark ground-dwelling bird.
  • Long, powerful legs.
  • Large, fan-shaped tail.
  • Bare head and neck.
  • Short, slightly downcurved bill.
  • Tip of tail chestnut-brown (in East) or white (in Southwest).

Male Description

Breast feathers tipped with black. Head and neck blue-gray with pink wattles. During spring display, forehead white, face bright blue, neck scarlet. Spurs on legs. Beard long and obvious, larger on older birds.

Female Description

Breast feathers tipped with brown, gray, or white. Head with small feathers. Beard small, if present.

Immature Description

Immature similar to adult.

Range Map Help

Wild Turkey Range Map
View dynamic map of eBird sightings

Field MarksHelp

  • Displaying male "gobbler"

    Wild Turkey

    Displaying male "gobbler"
    • © Bob Schmitz/CLO
  • Female

    Wild Turkey

    Female
    • © Marie Read

Similar Species

  • Domestic turkey with white tip to tail.