All Turkeys are not the same. According to Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, there are 6 subspecies of Wild Turkey; 4 of them in the US, the other 2 in Mexico. I have only seen 3 of the US ones.
Meleagris gallopavo merriami — the Western bird–in this case taken in SE Arizona. Notice the white tail stripe.
Meleagris gallopavo intermedia from North Texas to e-central Mexico–here’s one at King Ranch
Meleagris gallopavo silvestris is in the Central and Eastern US-my local bird. Interested in hearing them gobble? Check this out.
The other one is Meleagris gallopavo osceola an extremely local Florida bird. Huh, I never even knew there were turkeys in Florida.
Today, your turkey, like mine, will no doubt be the oven-roasted domestic variety. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Check out these other Turkey posts from around the blogosphere:
You have to go to Egret’s Nest. She has great photos and can really talk turkey. No, really.
Picus Blog has a Turkey pic up today.
BirdGuides Blog’s description of the local UK bird is spot-on and true in many parts of the US too.
Great Turkey pictures and Naked Thanksgiving over at Birdchick.
Musings on Nature did a Turkey program at the park and has pictures.
BirdFreak offers us a turkey photo and a plea for any leftovers.
Thanksgiving wishes from the Birder’s Report along with a shot of a spectacular Tom.
Bill of the Birds has great close-ups of face and feathers.
Stumble It!
6 Comments
November 27, 2008 at 8:12 am
“I never even knew there were turkeys in Florida.”
Oh, Bev, don’t feed us straight lines like that.
November 27, 2008 at 9:50 am
I believe there are many species of “turkeys” in NJ. I can name several without even trying….
November 27, 2008 at 11:46 am
Thanks for the shout-out! Loving all the turkey pics today!
This was a GREAT idea! Bill of the Birds also had a great pic of a turkey head today.
November 27, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Meleagris gallopavo silvestris (plus many of those alluded to by deejbrown) are our local turkeys too.
November 27, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Hey Bev, Happy Thanksgiving to you too! Great captures of the different subspecies. As wren alluded to, I think we have “turkeys” in every state
You can see my Wild Turkey by clicking on my name. Have a super day all!
January 4, 2009 at 5:54 pm
[...] Thanksgiving Turkey Special [...]