Wild Turkey

Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is in the Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies family (Phasianidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 156,743 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph Wild Turkey: observations by month (U.S.)

About Wild Turkey

The wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is an upland ground bird native to North America and is the heaviest member of the diverse Galliformes. It is the same species as the domestic turkey, which was originally derived from a southern Mexican subspecies of wild turkey (not the related ocellated turkey). Although native to North America, the turkey probably got its name from the domesticated variety being imported to Britain in ships coming from the Levant via Spain....From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Wild Turkey by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)

Indian PeafowlPavo cristatus

Ring-necked PheasantPhasianus colchicus

Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellus

Dusky GrouseDendragapus obscurus

Sooty GrouseDendragapus fuliginosus

ChukarAlectoris chukar

Greater Sage-GrouseCentrocercus urophasianus

Spruce GrouseCanachites canadensis

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ