Smokey Gray "Probably the most common wild turkey color phase is the smoke phase," Hatfield said. "Its mutation is based on the fact that it has no brown pigments within its feathers. Coloration varies, but white is typically the dominant tone with black and dark gray contrasting tones, especially on the back, wings and tail feathers.".
Melanistic Wild Turkeys overproduce the pigment melanin, making them jet black in color-the gothest turkey out there. Rarer, though, are albinos, a condition marked by white skin and feathers along with light pink or red eyes. Wild Turkey Feather Colors Wild turkeys sport gorgeous, natural camouflage made up of rich earth tones.
Their feathers help them blend into the forests and fields where they live. Here are the main colors found on wild turkeys: Dark brown is the predominant body color on wild turkeys. Their wings, back, chest and tail feathers are various shades of chocolate brown to black.
During mating displays, male feathers become extremely iridescent with metallic greens, purples and bronzes. Female Wild Turkey Colors Female wild turkeys, also called hens, are more subtly colored than the males. Their overall body is a muted brown with little iridescence on most feathers.
The tips of the tail and wings show rusty tan banding. The smoke phase coloration is produced by a genetic mutation that causes the turkey to have an excess of melanin pigment in its feathers. This excess melanin results in feathers that are very dark gray or charcoal in color.
The smoke phase genetic mutation is thought to occur randomly and spontaneously within some wild turkey populations. Understanding what colors turkey feathers can be helps bird watchers identify wild turkeys and appreciates their dazzling feathers, Read on for a guide to the various hues and markings that make up a turkey's plumage Overview of Turkey Feather Colors Turkeys are generally colored in earthy browns blacks grays, and rusty oranges. Turkey Feathers Colors Nowadays, turkeys have gained a global popularity because of the good taste and nutritional value of their meat.
However, here we want to describe the turkey feathers colors and the types of feathers wild and domesticated turkeys have. Domestic Turkeys Domestic turkeys are available with a wide variety of colorful feathers. Most of a wild turkey's body plumage exhibits this metallic luster, especially on the back and wings.
Contour feathers are predominantly dark, often blackish or brownish, yet reflect a spectrum of colors. Primary wing feathers typically feature dark bases with prominent white or light-colored barring, contrasting with the iridescent body. Turkey feathers come in a stunning array of colors and patterns, making them some of the most beautiful feathers found in North America.
While domesticated turkeys have been selectively bred to have mostly white feathers, wild turkeys display plumage in a range of striking earth tones and iridescent hues. All birds have different types of feathers on them. This ultimate guide on how to identify turkey feathers is gonna wrap it all for the turkeys - tips and symbolism.