http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2127253.jpg>

Wild turkeys are popular birds, even more so at Thanksgiving. Wild turkey observers, however, can often be left wondering which wild turkey species is before them - with many good reasons. As wild turkey populations have expanded and been reintroduced across America by the National Wild Turkey Federation and many state game departments, it's a given that more bird watchers will surely see more wild turkeys. The big question then becomes which subspecies goes there?

As an FYI, leading birding guidebooks by authors such as David Sibley, Kenn Kaufmann, others and the National Geographic Society simply list that big bird species as "wild turkey." There's a distinct difference, however, between Merriam's and Eastern subspecies, or Gould's and the also widely recognized Rio Grande subspecies. While some interest was generated recently about subspecies listing and re-classification, America's wild turkey population remains in listing limbo. Is it time to take action?

The wild turkey has historical significance in America. Ben Franklin proposed making it the national bird back in 1784. He probably saw only the Eastern subspecies in his Eastern US travels.

Today, according to the NWTF, there are more than 7 million wild turkeys residing in North America. Those turkeys can be found in all states, except Alaska. The trap-and-transfer programs that were underway in the 1970s and 1980s made a huge population turn-around from the approximately 500,000 wild turkeys that remained in scattered sections of the U.S. in the late 1950s. Some thought this large bird species was headed for extinction. Conservation and funding (mainly by hunters), along with strong public interest in wild turkeys, proved otherwise.

Most trained state game department biologists currently recognize five wild turkey subspecies in America: the Eastern, Florida, Rio Grande, Merriam's and Gould's species. State and federal game departments also recognize these subspecies in their publications - and management plans. Maybe it's time the national turkey flock be broken up into these subspecies for listing and identification purposes - and that identification books be re-written to reflect the subspecies. There are noted differences in appearance between the championed subspecies. And each utilizes different habitats.

http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2127255.jpg>

If you live east of the Mississippi River, you will probably only spot the Eastern wild turkey with its cinnamon to dark chestnut tail feather tips. Down in Florida, however, the smaller Florida or Osceola wild turkey subspecies numbers up to 100,000 strong. This population reflects an eerie greenish tint on its feathers. Over in south Texas, the Rio Grande species displays yellow, pinkish or buff colored tail feather tips. These birds form large flocks and travel widely on their longer legs. Up in the Dakotas and eastern Montana and along the Rockies, however, any wild turkey spotted could be a Merriam's with noticeable white tail feather tips. And finally, down near the US border with Mexico, and in limited regions of the Southwest, you might see a Gould's wild turkey with its coppery sheen. Each subspecies utilizes different habitat, makes varied calls, and simply behaves differently.

Now the real identification and classification challenge begins. In Hawaii or Washington states, you could see an Eastern subspecies or a Merriam's since the birds have been transported and released there by the state game departments and NWTF- funded projects. Other pockets with multi-species of wild turkeys present can be found in other regions west of the Mississippi River. In Hawaii the eastern subspecies also roams widely.

With bird identification so micro-managed that the only way to tell an eastern and western meadowlark apart is by listening to the bird's call, you could be left scratching your head about why the wild turkey remains as a lumped species in guide books. Maybe the time has come to bust up the flock - and re-write those identification books. Yes, population mapping could be an ID book designer's nightmare. Subspecies listing, however, would continue to keep the interest level high on wild turkeys.

Something to think about as you think about turkeys - the ones on the family dining table - this Thanksgiving.

- Michael D. Faw
Special to The Birding Wire

Note: The author holds distinction in North Carolina as a wildlife officer who pursued, captured, and handcuffed a wild turkey gobbler.

---------------------------------
If your company, agency or organization is involved in the business of birding, we invite you to consider The Birding Wire for advertising or Corporate Membership as you finalize your budget for the coming year. Please contact editor J.R. Absher at birdingwire@gmail.com for complete information.