The Rio Grande wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) is a distinct subspecies of wild turkey. Males are recognized by their relatively long legs and iridescent copper, bronze, red, green, and gold body plumage. They typically weigh about 20 pounds, while females (hens) usually weigh between 8 to 12 pounds. Their tail and lower back feathers are tipped with a buff to very light tan color.
Core Distribution
The primary geographic range of the Rio Grande wild turkey is centered in the south-central United States and northern Mexico, earning them the designation as native to the central plains states. Their most concentrated populations are found across Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.
Texas, in particular, serves as a historic stronghold for the subspecies, with the Edwards Plateau region having the highest current numbers. Significant populations also extend into northern Mexico. In Oklahoma, an estimated 120,000 Rio Grande wild turkeys are present across at least 55 counties. Kansas has seen successful reintroduction efforts, with birds from Texas and Oklahoma bolstering numbers in the southwest and south-central portions of the state.
Preferred Environments
Rio Grande wild turkeys favor brushy country and riparian zones, which are areas along rivers and streams, within their core distribution. They require ample edge habitat, providing cover for escaping predators and relief from high temperatures. Their preferred landscapes include open woodlands, mesquite, pine, and scrub oak forests.
Mature hardwood trees like live oak, hackberry, pecan, elm, and cottonwood are important for roosting, often near riparian areas. These turkeys often roost over an open understory or directly over water. They are opportunistic foragers, consuming a diverse diet of grasses, seeds, buds, grains, fruits, hard mast, insects, and occasionally small reptiles. Access to surface water sources is necessary, especially given their presence in arid regions.
Beyond Native Borders
Beyond their native range, Rio Grande wild turkeys have established populations in various other regions, primarily through introduction efforts. These areas include California, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. For example, they were successfully introduced to Hawaii in the late 1950s. In some locations, their distribution may overlap with other turkey subspecies, such as in Kansas, where both Rio Grande and Eastern wild turkeys are present.