Osceola Wild Turkey
Sportman's Life Staff | Comments 0
The Osceola wild turkey, also called the Florida turkey, can only be found in the state of Florida. It is smaller and darker than its cousin the eastern wild turkey and it has less white areas on its wing feathers. The main difference in the feathers is the Osceola’s white areas are more narrow, less patterned, and do not go all the way to the end of the main feathers. There is much more black barring on the feathers as well. The other wing feathers are also dark gray or black so that when the wings are folded next to the body, there is no white patch seen like the eastern turkey has.
The feathers on the Florida turkey are much more bright in color than the eastern, displaying a lot more iridescent green, blue, purple, and red. The tail is darker and the tips of the feathers is brown, like an eastern and unlike that of a Rio Grande or Merriam’s. It’s coloration and habits make it an ideal survivor in the pine forests, swamps, and bogs that cover much of Florida. Mature females called hens, have a similar appearance to males but have a duller appearance with less iridescence and are generally lighter in coloration overall, but with dark wing feathers.
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Filed Under: Osceola
