Upland Ground

Wild Turkey

Meleagris gallopavo
Wild Turkey thumbnail
Length: 46 in. (117 cm )
Coming within one congressional vote of being our national bird, the Wild Turkey instead became our Thanksgiving meal, and the population was widely exterminated throughout North America. Recent reintroductions have restored it, however, to much of its former range, and now it is hunted as a sport animal in many parts of the United States. Usually seen in small family groups as they noisily scratch in the leaf litter for seeds, acorns, fruits and insects, at night they roost together in mid levels of trees. The nest is a shallow depression hidden on the ground among grasses and low shrubs.

The four-digit banding code is WITU.

Male | Oliver Niehuis

Male | Oliver Niehuis


Fir forest

Oak-pine woodland

Riparian / River forest
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View Citation

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Bibliographic details:

  • Article: Wild Turkey
  • Author(s): Dr. Biology
  • Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
  • Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
  • Date published: July 13, 2017
  • Date accessed: March 7, 2024
  • Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/wild-turkey

APA Style

Dr. Biology. (2017, July 13). Wild Turkey. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved March 7, 2024 from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/wild-turkey

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Dr. Biology. "Wild Turkey". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 July, 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/wild-turkey

MLA 2017 Style

Dr. Biology. "Wild Turkey". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 7 Mar 2024. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/wild-turkey

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
Against light skin, some of our veins look blue
Is blood blue?

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