23 replies to this topic

[yep]

I'm in the process of entering almost a year's worth of birding into eBird and I just got up to January 21st of this year when I saw (among other things) a huge flock of Wild Turkeys. When I went to enter them on eBird, it lists "Wild Turkey" and "Wild Turkey (Domestic Type)". Can someone explain the difference and tell me which I've got? Thanks.

[JimBob]

I believe they are Wild Turkeys. . .

[Pat B.]

I don't know the answer, but "Wild Turkey, Domestic Type" strikes me as an oxymoron.

[BarnSwallow]

I've heard the difference is that a domestic turkey has a white band on the end of its tail and a wild turkey has a rusty-colored band. Don't know how accurate it is.

[Cavan Wood]

Yours are definitely wild turkeys. I suspect what they mean by "Wild Turkey (domestic type)" is feral domestic turkeys. The other option is that there is sometimes back-crossing of domestic to wild variety with white feathers showing up in some wild birds. Yours do not show that, so I think you're safe reporting Wild Turkey.

[yep]

Thanks guys, glad to know I'm not alone in being somewhat confused.

[Melissa :)]

Amazing pictures, by the way!!!

[yep]

I think they don't get the credit they deserve for being beautiful birds. Someone around here was recently talking about the iridescence of the Bufflehead, but I think these turkeys can give that duck a run for his money. Copper, Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange..... pretty amazing.

[Liam]

Domestic turkeys are usually much fatter, and often different colors.

[yep]

So when they say "Wild Turkey (Domestic Type)" they mean a domestic turkey that you'd see on a farm? Or is this a feral bird? I mean they don't list barnyard Chickens on eBird, so..umm..do you see where I'm not quite 100% clear. I think I understand, but I want someone to spell it out for me.

[Liam]

It could be any turkey that seems to be of domestic descent (not these ones, imo), whether feral or domestic. And they do list barnyard chickens on eBird, under Red Junglefowl (domestic type).

[yep]

Oh..haha..I didn't realize that. Okay, thanks for the help Liam.

[mtdavid]

Yeah I would think "Wild Turkey" is the species name, and domestic turkeys would be the same species, hence the contradiction. I dont think you'd report a domestic-type Wild Turkey to eBird unless it was living in the wild though, that would be like reporting pets...anyway I want to commend you for putting all your sightings in eBird! Canada could use more eBird users from what I've seen.

[yep]

I think we're doing alright. On the main page it lists the numbers of checklists submitted for the month and Ontario is third after California and New York. Quebec is 15th. And BC is 20th.

Seems like it's pretty much going by total population...although Maryland seems pretty high at 11th. Way to go Maryland! (is that the first time anyone has ever said that?)


And thanks for the greater clarification on the turkeys. Yeah, I think it's the fact that it's the species name that had me confused; in my mind, the turkeys you see on a farm and in the grocery store were a different species turkey, but I guess that's not true. Just one of those funny things in life that a farmed turkey is actually called a Wild Turkey.

[BarnSwallow]

I think we're doing alright. On the main page it lists the numbers of checklists submitted for the month and Ontario is third after California and New York. Quebec is 15th. And BC is 20th.

Seems like it's pretty much going by total population...although Maryland seems pretty high at 11th. Way to go Maryland! (is that the first time anyone has ever said that?)


And thanks for the greater clarification on the turkeys. Yeah, I think it's the fact that it's the species name that had me confused; in my mind, the turkeys you see on a farm and in the grocery store were a different species turkey, but I guess that's not true. Just one of those funny things in life that a farmed turkey is actually called a Wild Turkey.

No, that's been said before! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maryland_Terrapins_men's_basketball

[Aveschapines]

It could be any turkey that seems to be of domestic descent (not these ones, imo), whether feral or domestic. And they do list barnyard chickens on eBird, under Red Junglefowl (domestic type).

But to be reported on eBird, they'd have to be living in the wild, right? Otherwise I have a lot of turkeys, chickens, ducks, and geese to add to my life list LOL!

EDIT all the turkeys I see here are those pretty wild types. They are smaller than Butterballs for sure, with less generous breasts. A good-sized turkey might weigh 9 or 10 pounds once it's been plucked (head, feet, and organs intact).

[creeker]

But to be reported on eBird, they'd have to be living in the wild, right? Otherwise I have a lot of turkeys, chickens, ducks, and geese to add to my life list LOL!

EDIT all the turkeys I see here are those pretty wild types. They are smaller than Butterballs for sure, with less generous breasts. A good-sized turkey might weigh 9 or 10 pounds once it's been plucked (head, feet, and organs intact).

I believe you have a different, smaller species there, Helen. Ocellated Turkey. Here's a poor quality pic......

[Liam]

But to be reported on eBird, they'd have to be living in the wild, right? Otherwise I have a lot of turkeys, chickens, ducks, and geese to add to my life list LOL!

EDIT all the turkeys I see here are those pretty wild types. They are smaller than Butterballs for sure, with less generous breasts. A good-sized turkey might weigh 9 or 10 pounds once it's been plucked (head, feet, and organs intact).

Haha, yes, I guess so. Just feral then.

[creeker]

There is also a huge difference in intelligence between the wild and domestic turkeys. Wild Turkeys are intelligent and wary. Makes them very challenging to hunt. A small hand movement I made Saturday was spotted from 100 yards away and sent one heading in the other direction. Domestic turkeys are kind of dense. I once had one die in my coop because it got stuck in a corner.

[Aveschapines]

I believe you have a different, smaller species there, Helen. Ocellated Turkey. Here's a poor quality pic......

Yes, I should have been clearer; our "wild" turkeys are the Ocellated Turkeys (and another one in Petén whose name I don't know in English); but our domesticated turkeys are all of the "wild" type as described and illustrated in this thread.

I have heard that the local domesticated turkeys are hybrids of the Ocellated Turkeys.