The wild turkey of North America rarely exceeds 20 pounds in weight.
Females weigh only half as much.
Commercially, turkeys are selectively bred to have shorter legs, larger breasts, and to weigh more. The male Common Turkey has iridescent, black plumage with brownish wings, and a white tipped tail that is fanned and cocked in display. The head and neck are bare and large wattles of red skin dangle from a vividly blue head. The Common Turkey occurs in the wild from Colorado and New York south to northern Mexico. In captivity, housing can be similar to that of domestic fowl although turkeys need more space.