As fall approaches and Thanksgiving gets closer images of plump golden-brown turkeys start popping up everywhere. But while the typical turkey on your table may be brown, these unique birds actually come in a spectacular array of colors. Join me as we explore the fascinating world of turkey plumage and learn what accounts for the diverse colors beyond basic brown.
The Science Behind Turkey Feather Colors
A turkey’s feathers contain two types of pigments that create their vibrant colors
-
Melanin – This pigment produces black, brown, and gray shades. The concentration and distribution of melanin accounts for variations in brown tones.
-
Carotenoids – Dietary pigments that create red, orange, yellow hues. More carotenoids = richer color.
But it’s not just pigments at play. Turkeys also exhibit structural coloration from the microscopic structure of feather barbs. This produces iridescent blues, greens, and other changes with light angle. Pretty amazing how nature creates such diversity!
Wild Turkey males: Iridescent and Ornate
Male wild turkeys, called “gobblers,” flaunt gorgeous iridescent feathers in bronzes, coppers, and greens. Their fan-shaped tail feathers have intricate patterns for mating displays. Wild turkey coloration provides excellent camouflage in their native habitats.
Wild Turkey females: Subdued and Camouflaged
Female wild turkeys (“hens”) have more subdued plumage in browns, grays, and muted greens. This discreet coloration allows them to blend into surroundings when nesting and raising young.
Domesticated Turkeys: A Colorful Variety
Selective breeding by humans has produced a rainbow of domestic turkey breeds:
-
Bronze – The classic Thanksgiving turkey with rich coppery-brown feathers.
-
White – Pure snowy white feathers, a stunning holiday choice.
-
Black – Sleek, dark plumage with a gothic flair.
-
Bourbon Red – Stunning deep red feathers, like the liquor.
-
Blue – Rare blue-tinged feathers resulting from genetic quirks.
Cultural Symbolism of Turkey Feather Colors
Beyond science and breeding, turkey colors also carry cultural symbolism:
-
Native American Culture – Saw turkeys as symbols of wisdom and power.
-
Aztec Culture – Associated turkeys with their fertility god due to importance as food source.
-
US Thanksgiving – Connects the fall harvest with the prevalence of bronze turkeys.
The Future of Turkey Colors
Advancing genetics and breeding science may lead to new turkey colors in the future. But ethical considerations regarding risks to turkey health should be weighed. Overall, the existing diversity of nature’s turkey palette is quite impressive!
So next Thanksgiving when you admire that golden-brown turkey on the table, remember that turkeys naturally occur in a vibrant spectrum of hues from iridescent blues to rich bourbon red. Each color has its own story and science behind it. The world of turkey feathers is truly a rainbow waiting to be appreciated!
Wild Turkey Oddities: Feathers
Turkey oddities are the result of genetic variations that cause one or more turkeys in a flock to differ from the rest. These genetic differences may be natures way of improving a species, but that isnt always the case.
Each subspecies has highly visible feathers, which match the colors of their habitat and provide a better chance of survival.
A good example is to look at each subspecies of wild turkeys rump feathers and tips of their tail feathers. Eastern and Osceola turkeys, in the heavily wooded areas of the East and South show relatively dark, chestnut colors. Rio Grande turkeys have buff tail feather tips that match the plains and shrub areas they inhabit. Merriams turkeys, found primarily in snowy mountain areas, have rump feathers and tail feather tips that are nearly white.
Individual differences in feather coloration are probably the most reported oddities. The late James Kazmierski and his son, Steven, compiled a detailed article titled, “Turkey Plumage: Color and Composition,” in which they state that the genetics responsible for these variations have not been well documented. The Kazmierskis list eight plumage types found in domestic turkeys. They go on to speculate that since domestic turkeys originated from wild stock, the genes responsible for such plumage types are probably found in wild populations as well.
One of the most common color variations is the “smoky gray” color phase. Turkeys with this variation appear white from a distance. Upon closer examination, however, it is obvious that these birds appearance is due to a loss of brown or bronze pigments while the black areas of the feathers remain. Every year, the NWTF receives reports of turkeys in a smoky gray color phase, and many turkey hunters have seen at least one during their time in their field. This recessive trait seems to occur more frequently among hens, but is still occasionally seen in gobblers.
While this trait is probably detrimental to survival–it makes the turkey more visible–some smoky gray wild turkeys may survive for several years. One smoky gray hen in Georgia was observed with a normal brood of poults each spring for five years.
Melanistic (black) and erythristic (red) color variations also are reported each year, but are not as common as the smoky gray phase. Many of these turkeys are striking in appearance and stand out visibly when seen among flocks of normal looking wild turkeys.
The least common color variation is complete albinism, or the total lack of color pigments. True albinos are seldom found among wild turkeys.
Most hunters see color variations for the first time and think that the condition is a result of crossbreeding with a domestic turkey. Many wildlife biologists used to think the same thing. But, these differences occur regularly in flocks that have no contact with domestic turkeys.
Florida (Osceola) wild turkey
- Dark-brown tips on tail feathers
- Mostly black wings with very small white bands
- Adult males weigh approximately 20 pounds
- Adult females weigh 8 to 12 pounds
- Long legs
- Strong gobbles
- Very long spurs
- Shorter beard-lengths than Easterns on average
- Considered the toughest species to call in
How To Draw A Funny Turkey
FAQ
What color is turkey?
Wild Turkeys have the deep, rich brown and black feathers that most people associate with turkeys. In completely opposite fashion, domestic turkeys are normally white in color, an intentional product of domestication because white pin feathers are less noticeable on the carcass.
What color should turkey be?
Most of the time, when turkey is cooked to 165 degrees F, the meat will be a white to light brown color throughout. Sometimes, the meat closest to the bones might keep a slightly pink color. A brined turkey is more likely to keep a little bit of pink color.
Are Thanksgiving turkeys white?
The National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation is a ceremony that takes place at the White House every year shortly before Thanksgiving. The president of the United States is presented with a live domestic turkey by the National Turkey Federation (NTF), usually a male of the Broad Breasted White variety.
Are turkey’s feet yellow or orange?
Adult wild turkeys have long reddish-yellow to grayish-green legs.