Their feathers are primarily black, although they are barred with white and striped with brown. North American Turkeys have a caruncle, a knob of skin that extends from their forehead, and a black tuft on the breast. Their wattles, the lobes made of flesh that extend from their chins, are red. The North American Turkey s legs have spurs that can grow up to 3.175 centimeters in length. Their legs are usually silver gray, pinkish gray or pink.
Toms have blue or white heads, the color of which can change from season to season.
One of the most common game birds in North America, the North American Turkey can be found throughout the western and southern United States, New England, and the Atlantic seaboard. They can also be found south to Guatemala and north into Canada. There are six subspecies of North American Turkeys, including two called the Eastern, two named Merriam s, the Rio Grande and the Florida. North American Turkeys are one of the most commonly hunted birds in the United States. Turkey hunting can deposit millions of dollars into the coffers of the state Department of Natural Resources as well as other private and public organizations.