Wild Turkey Subspecies in North America

1. Eastern Wild Turkey

• Range: Eastern U.S. and parts of southeastern Canada
• Appearance:
  • Large size
  • Dark brown to black body feathers with a metallic sheen
  • Chestnut-brown tail feather tips
• Notes:
  • Most widespread subspecies
  • Known for loud, classic gobble
  • Thrives in hardwood forests and mixed terrain

2. Osceola Wild Turkey (Florida Wild Turkey)

• Range: Exclusively in peninsular Florida
• Appearance:
  • Smaller and darker than Eastern
  • Iridescent green and bronze body feathers
  • Narrow white barring on wing feathers
• Notes:
  • One of the most sought-after by hunters for its limited range
  • Prefers swamps, flatwoods, and scrub

3. Rio Grande Wild Turkey

• Range: Central and southwestern U.S. (Texas, Oklahoma, parts of Kansas, etc.)
• Appearance:
  • Medium size
  • Buff or tan tips on tail feathers
  • Longer legs adapted for prairie and brushy terrain
• Notes:
  • Found in open woodlands and river bottoms
  • Often roosts in cottonwoods and mesquites

4. Merriam's Wild Turkey

• Range: Western mountainous states (Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, etc.)
• Appearance:
  • Lighter body feathers with a white or cream tail band
  • Frosted white appearance due to lighter plumage
• Notes:
  • Adapts well to pine forests and higher elevations
  • Gobble is weaker and more variable

5. Gould's Wild Turkey

• Range: Southern Arizona, New Mexico, and northern Mexico
• Appearance:
  • Largest-bodied wild turkey in North America
  • Long legs, white tail tips, and bright iridescent colors
• Notes:
  • Rare and protected in the U.S.
  • Prefers mountainous areas with open pine-oak woodlands

6. Ocellated Turkey (often listed due to proximity, though not a true subspecies of the North American wild turkey)

• Range: Yucatán Peninsula (Mexico, Belize, Guatemala)
• Appearance:
  • Smaller, brightly colored with iridescent blues and greens
  • Tail features eye-like spots (ocelli)
• Notes:
  • More similar to peafowl in appearance and behavior
  • Not found in the continental U.S.