With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we are thinking of all things turkey! The National Wild Turkey Federation’s headquarters are in Edgefield, South Carolina, part of the Old 96 District. This organization primarly focuses on the preservation of the wild turkey, among the most popular game animals in the world. Did you know that the Wild Turkey is the state game bird for South Carolina?
There are two species of wild turkey, the American wild and the Ocellated wild. The Ocellated turkey is native to Central America, but we will center on the American wild turkey, which is the more common of the two. Here are a few facts about the American Wild Turkey!
n the 1930’s, the wild turkey was hunted almost to the point of extinction. Wildlife restoration programs have led to more than 7 million turkeys in North America today, a model success! Male turkeys, known as “gobblers,” are recognized by their beards ( the black tuft on their chest) and their spurs (on the back of their legs). Between 5,000 and 6,000 feathers cover the body of an adult. The feathers keep him warm, dry, allow him to fly, and are often used to ‘strut their stuff’ for the females. They can run up to 25 mph and fly up to 55 mph. They have excellent vision during the day, but do not see as well at night. The American Wild Turkey is comprised of five subspecies, each displaying different physical and behavioral characteristics that define them.
Eastern
Eastern Turkeys are the most widely-distributed subspecies east of the Mississippi and the most abundant. They have:
- Chestnut-brown tips on tail feathers
- White and black bars on the wings
- Adult males weigh 18 to 30 pounds
- Adult females weigh 8 to 12 pounds
Osceola
This subspecies is only found in Florida. They have:
- Dark-brown tips on tail feathers
- Mostly black wings with small white bands
- Adult males weigh approximately 20 pounds
- Adult females weigh 8 to 12 pounds
Rio Grande
Rio Grande turkeys live in the western desert regions of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and other western states. They have:
- Tan-colored tips on tail feathers
- Same amount of black and white barring on wings
- Adult males weigh approximately 20 pounds on average
- Adult females weigh 8 to 12 pounds
Merriam
Merriam turkeys are found in the mountainous regions of the west. The Rocky Mountains are considered the central hub. They have:
- Light tips on tail feathers and upper tail coverts (rump feathers), buff to white
- More white and less black on wings
- Adult males weigh 18 to 30 pounds
- Adult females weigh 8 to 12 pounds
Gould
Gould turkeys are only found in Arizona, New Mexico, and the Sierra Madres of Mexico. They have:
- Snow-white tips on tail feathers and upper tail coverts
- Wings are moderate in coloration
- Adult males weigh 18 to 30 pounds
- Adult females weigh 12 to 14 pounds
