Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
The Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is a large, ground-dwelling bird native to North America, renowned for its distinctive plumage and significant cultural importance. As an omnivorous species, it thrives in diverse habitats, foraging on a varied diet that includes nuts, seeds, and insects.
| 🇫🇷 | Dindon Sauvage |
| 🇩🇪 | Truthuhn |
| 🇲🇽 | Pavo Salvaje |
| Taxonomy | |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae |
How to Identify
The Wild Turkey is a large bird, often observed foraging on the ground or perched on low tree branches. It is characterized by its dark brown plumage, a featherless head with a bluish tint, and a distinctive red throat.
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Characteristics
| Length | 76-125cm |
| Weight | 3.6-11kg |
| Wingspan | 125-144cm |
| Clutch Size | 10-14 eggs |
| Incubation | 25-31 days |
| Fledging | 8-14 days |
| Sexual Maturity | 1 year |
| Source | Wikipedia |
Where and When to Spot
The Wild Turkey can be observed throughout the year. My initial encounter with this species took place during winter at Park Angrignon, where they are often fed seeds by park visitors.
Observation Records by Park and Season
| Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parc Nature Pointe aux Prairies | - | - | - | x |
"x" indicates the species was observed, while "-" indicates no observation. Lack of observation doesn't necessarily imply that the species is absent. Data is derived from our park visit journals.