EXPLORE > ANIMALS > BIRDS
Meleagris gallopavo intermedia
The Rio Grande turkey is an upland ground bird and one of two turkey species native to North America. However, it is not native to Oregon and was introduced as a gamebird in 1975.
Male turkeys have a rounded body with a fan-shaped tail and bronze-colored wings. The male is considerably larger than the female and more brightly colored. Their heads are usually featherless and reddish. Red waddles hang from the throat and neck. Female turkeys, also known as hens, have a straight tail and are drab in comparison. Their feathers are usually black, dark brown, or bronze. The head is also featherless and typically brown in color. These birds can grow to a considerable size, with the largest known males weighing in at over 30 pounds (13.6 kg). They are among the largest birds in North America based on mass.
Turkeys usually wander in large groups, foraging on the ground or sometimes in shrubs and trees. They will typically eat acorns, nuts, berries, leaves, and roots. Occasionally they will supplement their diet with insects and small reptiles or amphibians.
Range and Habitat:
Turkeys are highly adaptable and are found in a wide variety of habitats throughout Oregon. They are common in riparian areas, woodlands, meadows, and prairies. They prefer areas with good ground forage and cover from predators.
Conservation Status:
Common. Since their introduction to Oregon over four decades ago, the turkeys range has grown tenfold and they can often be found even in urban areas. Like other introduced species, the Rio Grande turkey can cause problems for native animals and plant life. In particular, they can take over habitats or deplete resources needed by native species. For this reason, they are often considered nuisance animals.
RELATED FEATURE: Russell's Very Big Turkey Count
Meleagris gallopavo intermedia
The Rio Grande turkey is an upland ground bird and one of two turkey species native to North America. However, it is not native to Oregon and was introduced as a gamebird in 1975.
Male turkeys have a rounded body with a fan-shaped tail and bronze-colored wings. The male is considerably larger than the female and more brightly colored. Their heads are usually featherless and reddish. Red waddles hang from the throat and neck. Female turkeys, also known as hens, have a straight tail and are drab in comparison. Their feathers are usually black, dark brown, or bronze. The head is also featherless and typically brown in color. These birds can grow to a considerable size, with the largest known males weighing in at over 30 pounds (13.6 kg). They are among the largest birds in North America based on mass.
Turkeys usually wander in large groups, foraging on the ground or sometimes in shrubs and trees. They will typically eat acorns, nuts, berries, leaves, and roots. Occasionally they will supplement their diet with insects and small reptiles or amphibians.
Range and Habitat:
Turkeys are highly adaptable and are found in a wide variety of habitats throughout Oregon. They are common in riparian areas, woodlands, meadows, and prairies. They prefer areas with good ground forage and cover from predators.
Conservation Status:
Common. Since their introduction to Oregon over four decades ago, the turkeys range has grown tenfold and they can often be found even in urban areas. Like other introduced species, the Rio Grande turkey can cause problems for native animals and plant life. In particular, they can take over habitats or deplete resources needed by native species. For this reason, they are often considered nuisance animals.
RELATED FEATURE: Russell's Very Big Turkey Count