Turkeys are large birds recognized for their distinctive appearance and sounds. Many people wonder about the variety within this bird group, specifically how many distinct types of turkeys exist. This article explores their diversity.
Recognized Turkey Species
There are two distinct turkey species: the Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) and the Ocellated Turkey (Meleagris ocellata). The Wild Turkey is native to eastern and central North America, while the Ocellated Turkey is found in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico and parts of Central America.
Domestic turkeys, widely raised for food, are not a separate species. They are a subspecies derived from the Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). This domestication occurred over 2,000 years ago, primarily by indigenous peoples in central Mexico. All modern domestic turkey varieties trace their lineage back to turkeys brought to Europe from central Mexico in the 16th century.
The Wild Turkey
The Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is widespread across North America, inhabiting a range that covers the eastern United States and extending into parts of Canada and Mexico. Wild Turkeys are adaptable, thriving in various habitats including hardwood and mixed conifer-hardwood forests with scattered open areas.
Male Wild Turkeys, known as gobblers or toms, are large, weighing between 5 to 11 kilograms and measuring 100 to 125 centimeters in length. They display iridescent dark plumage, fan-shaped tails, and featherless heads that can change color from red to blue or white depending on the season. Males have a distinctive “beard,” a tuft of bristle-like feathers protruding from their breast, and spurs on their legs. Female Wild Turkeys, or hens, are smaller and have duller brown and gray plumage, with most lacking a breast tuft.
This species is further divided into six subspecies:
- Eastern
- Osceola
- Rio Grande
- Merriam’s
- Gould’s
- South Mexican
Each subspecies exhibits slight variations in size, coloration, and habitat preferences. The Eastern Wild Turkey, for example, is the most widely distributed, found throughout the eastern United States and parts of Canada, characterized by chestnut-brown tail feather tips. Wild Turkeys are agile despite their size, capable of flying short distances and roosting in trees at night.
The Ocellated Turkey
The Ocellated Turkey (Meleagris ocellata) has a more restricted geographic distribution, primarily found in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, northern Guatemala, and parts of Belize. It inhabits lowland evergreen and tropical deciduous forests, utilizing clearings during the breeding season.
This species is notable for its striking and vibrant appearance, which distinguishes it from the Wild Turkey. Ocellated Turkeys have iridescent bronze-green body feathers, with males displaying brighter coloration than females. Their most distinguishing feature is blue-gray tail feathers adorned with eye-shaped, blue-bronze spots, known as ocelli, and bright gold tips. The name “ocellated” refers to these eye-like spots.
The head and neck of the Ocellated Turkey are featherless and bright blue, scattered with orange-red nodules or “warts.” Males have a blue fleshy crown on their heads that enlarges and becomes more pronounced during the breeding season. Ocellated Turkeys are lighter in weight than Wild Turkeys, with males weighing around 4.5 kilograms and females about 2.7 kilograms. Unlike Wild Turkeys, Ocellated Turkeys do not have a “beard.” Their legs are a dark red color, with adult males developing spurs.