Which Wild Turkey subspecies, found in the Rocky Mountain region, exhibits lighter edging on its tail and rump feathers?
Merriam’s Turkey
Although the core physical structure is consistent across the species, different subspecies of the Wild Turkey have evolved subtle adaptations reflecting their diverse habitats across the American landscape. The Merriam’s Turkey, primarily inhabiting the Rocky Mountain region, is distinguished by its feather coloration patterns. Specifically, the Merriam’s bird tends to display lighter, more buff-colored edging on the feathers of its tail and rump area. This contrasts with the deeper bronze coloration typically seen on the widespread Eastern Wild Turkey. Furthermore, when compared to the Merriam's, the Rio Grande turkey shows less white tipping on its tail feathers, illustrating how subtle physical shifts allow for regional identification.
