Wild turkeys, known for their rich, iridescent bronze and brown feathers, exhibit a surprising array of color variations. Among these fascinating variations, the smoke-phase turkey stands out as a distinct and naturally occurring variation.
Understanding Smoke-Phase Turkeys
A smoke-phase turkey displays a strikingly different appearance from the typical wild turkey, characterized by its pale gray or white plumage. Its body feathers often feature varying amounts of white or light gray, typically tipped with black, creating a mottled or “dipped in ink” effect. White is often the dominant tone, with black and dark gray contrasting, especially on the back, wings, and tail feathers. The head can be light blue or gray, while its caruncles, the fleshy growths on the head and neck, may appear a faint red or pink, similar to a standard turkey.
The Genetic Basis of Rarity
The unique coloration of a smoke-phase turkey stems from a genetic mutation involving a recessive gene. This genetic trait results in a lack of brown pigments in the feathers, causing the muted gray and white tones. For a turkey to exhibit the smoke-phase phenotype, it must inherit two copies of this specific recessive gene, one from each parent. If a turkey carries only one copy of the gene, it will have normal coloration but can pass the trait to its offspring.
Since the recessive gene responsible for smoke-phase coloration is not widespread within wild turkey populations, the chances of both parents carrying this gene are relatively low. Even when two carrier parents mate, only approximately 25% of their offspring are expected to be smoke-phase, which explains their rarity. This coloration is a natural occurrence and is not a result of interbreeding with domestic turkeys.
Geographic Distribution
Smoke-phase turkeys have been observed throughout the United States, appearing sporadically across various wild turkey ranges. While their sightings are often isolated, these unique birds can occasionally be found in local areas where the genetic trait has become more established within the population. Specific reports have come from states such as Minnesota, Michigan, Louisiana, and Georgia. Experts estimate that roughly one in every 70 to 100 wild turkeys exhibits this smoke-phase coloration.
Differentiating Smoke-Phase Turkeys
Distinguishing smoke-phase turkeys from other unusual color variations requires careful observation of their plumage and features. Unlike true albino turkeys, which are entirely white with pink eyes due to a complete lack of pigment, smoke-phase birds retain black and dark gray markings and have normally colored eyes. Leucistic turkeys can appear all white with dark eyes, but smoke-phase turkeys typically show more black pigment. Erythristic, or red-phase, turkeys have reddish or cinnamon-colored plumage, while melanistic, or black-phase, turkeys are nearly all-black. The presence of pale gray and white with darker mottling distinguishes the smoke-phase turkey from these other color anomalies.