Ocellated Turkey
Meleagris ocellata
The Ocellated Turkey (Meleagris ocellata) is a rare partridges, pheasants, grouse, and alli found in 3 countries, weighing about 5.5 kg. The ocellated turkey is a species of turkey residing primarily in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico, as well as in parts of Belize and Guatemala.
About the Ocellated Turkey
The ocellated turkey is a species of turkey residing primarily in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico, as well as in parts of Belize and Guatemala. A relative of the North American wild turkey, it was sometimes previously considered in a genus of its own (Agriocharis), but the differences between the two turkeys are currently considered too small to justify generic segregation. It is a relatively large bird, at around 70–122 cm (28–48 in) long and an average weight of 3 kg (6.6 lb) in females and 5 kg (11 lb) in males.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The body feathers of both sexes are a mixture of bronze and green iridescent color. Although females can be duller with more green, the breast feathers do not generally differ and cannot be used to determine sex. Neither sex possesses the "beard" typically found in wild turkeys. Tail feathers of both sexes are bluish-grey with an eye-shaped, blue-bronze spot near the end with a bright gold tip. The spots, or ocelli (located on the tail), for which the ocellated turkey is named, have been likened to the patterning typically found on peafowl.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, October, November, December, with peak activity in March. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify an Ocellated Turkey?
- The body feathers of both sexes are a mixture of bronze and green iridescent color. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is an Ocellated Turkey?
- The Ocellated Turkey is a huge sized bird weighing about 5.5 kg.
- Where can you see an Ocellated Turkey?
- The Ocellated Turkey occurs in 3 countries, including Belize, Guatemala and Mexico.
- What birds look similar to an Ocellated Turkey?
- The Ocellated Turkey is most easily confused with the Wild Turkey.
- Is the Ocellated Turkey endangered?
- The Ocellated Turkey is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Ocellated Turkey for real
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