Meleagris gallopavo silvestris

(Vieillot, 1817)

Vernacular names
English : Wild turkey
French : Dindon sauvage

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Galliformes
Family : Phasianidae
Notes : 5 other subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach 125 cm in length and a weight of 13 kg. Males much bigger than females with blood red and bluish wattles on face and neck. Plumage is black-brownish with coppery and dark blue-green sheen on wings, rump and tail.

Range and habitat
This subspecies occurs from south Canada to most of eastern USA, south to Texas. The species is found from south Canada to most of USA and south Mexico. Lives in forests, woodlands, shrublands, grasslands, steppes, up to 2100 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species remains common in protected areas but some populations have declined dramatically due to overhunting and disturbance.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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