Two extant turkey species are recognized: the Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) and the Ocellated Turkey (Meleagris ocellata). The Wild Turkey is found across North America, while the Ocellated Turkey is exclusive to Central America.
The Wild Turkey: North America’s Icon
The Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is a widespread upland game bird native to North America. It inhabits diverse environments, including deciduous and mixed forests, grasslands, and agricultural areas across the United States, parts of Canada, and Mexico. These large birds possess iridescent bronze-green plumage, with males exhibiting more vibrant colors.
Adult males, known as toms or gobblers, can weigh between 5 and 11 kilograms and reach lengths of up to 1.2 meters, while females (hens) are smaller, weighing 2.3 to 5.4 kilograms. Their largely featherless heads and necks change color from red to blue or white depending on the season and mood. Wild turkeys are primarily ground-dwelling, foraging for nuts, berries, seeds, insects, and small vertebrates by scratching through leaf litter. They are capable of strong, short flights, reaching speeds up to 88.5 km/h, and roost in trees at night for safety.
The Wild Turkey encompasses six recognized subspecies, each with distinct ranges and subtle physical variations. The Eastern Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) is the most abundant and widespread, found throughout the eastern United States and into southeastern Canada. It is characterized by chestnut-brown tips on its tail feathers and strong, deep gobbles.
The Osceola Wild Turkey, also known as the Florida Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo osceola), has a limited range within peninsular Florida. Osceolas resemble Easterns but often have blacker wing barring and longer legs.
The Rio Grande Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) occupies a vast area from Texas through Oklahoma and Kansas, extending into northeastern Mexico, with introduced populations in some western states. This subspecies has buff to light tan tips on its tail and lower back feathers.
Merriam’s Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo merriami) is found in the Rocky Mountains and high mesa country in New Mexico, Arizona, and South Dakota. Merriam’s are distinguished by white or light buff tips on their tail and lower back feathers.
Gould’s Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo mexicana) is native to the mountains of central and northern Mexico, extending into southernmost Arizona and New Mexico. Gould’s are the largest subspecies, with longer legs and tail feathers, and body feathers displaying copper and greenish-gold hues.
The South Mexican Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo gallopavo) is the nominate subspecies, found in Central Mexico.
The Ocellated Turkey: Jewel of Central America
The Ocellated Turkey (Meleagris ocellata) is a striking species with a restricted geographical distribution. It is found exclusively in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, northern Guatemala, and parts of Belize. This species is smaller than its North American relative, with males weighing around 4.5 kilograms and females about 2.7 kilograms. Its plumage is highly iridescent, with bronze-green colors that become more vivid on the wings, banded with bronzy-orange and white.
A distinguishing feature of the Ocellated Turkey, from which it derives its name, are the prominent eye-like spots, or “ocelli,” on its bluish-gray tail feathers. These spots are blue-bronze with bright gold tips, reminiscent of a peacock’s plumes. The head and neck are featherless and bright blue, adorned with orange-red nodules. During the breeding season, males develop an enlarged, fleshy blue crown with more pronounced yellow-orange nodules.
Unlike the Wild Turkey, the Ocellated Turkey lacks a breast tuft and is known for its lower-frequency vocalizations, including a distinctive gobble that differs from its northern cousin. These birds inhabit lowland evergreen and tropical deciduous forests, foraging on the ground for seeds, fruits, leaves, and insects.
From Wild to Farm: The Domestic Turkey
The domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo domesticus) is a domesticated form derived from the Wild Turkey. Its lineage traces back to the South Mexican subspecies of Meleagris gallopavo. Domestication was initiated by indigenous peoples in central Mesoamerica over 2,000 years ago. Early agriculturalists recognized the turkey’s value for meat, eggs, and feathers, selectively breeding them for desirable traits.
Spanish traders introduced these turkeys to Europe in the 16th century, where they gained popularity. English settlers then brought turkeys back to North America in the 17th century.
Centuries of selective breeding for agricultural purposes have significantly changed domestic turkeys compared to their wild ancestors. They are much larger, with many commercial varieties bred for white plumage because their pin feathers are less visible after processing. Modern domestic turkeys, such as the Broad-Breasted White, are bred to grow quickly and achieve large breast sizes, reaching market weight within 14 to 18 weeks. Intensive breeding has resulted in some domestic varieties being less capable of natural reproduction or prolonged survival without human intervention.