# Narragansett Turkey (*Meleagris gallopavo*) The Narragansett Turkey is a beautiful bird with stunning feathers! They love to strut around and show off their colorful plumage. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 223 - **Habitat:** They are commonly found in forests, fields, and grasslands across North America. - **Also known as:** Narragansett ![Narragansett Turkey](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Wild_Turkey_%28female%29_-_Meleagris_gallopavo%252C_Occoquan_Bay_National_Wildlife_Refuge%252C_Woodbridge%252C_Virginia.jpg&width=800) Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wild_Turkey_%28female%29_-_Meleagris_gallopavo%252C_Occoquan_Bay_National_Wildlife_Refuge%252C_Woodbridge%252C_Virginia.jpg) ## Appearance The Narragansett Turkey has striking black, gray, and tan feathers with a beautiful metallic sheen. Its body is primarily black, contrasted by lighter gray and buff bands on the wings and tail. The bare skin on its head and neck can change color from red to blue, adding to its unique appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Galliformes - **Family:** Phasianidae - **Genus:** Meleagris ## Interesting facts - Their snood, a fleshy flap, grows longer when males get excited! - They change the color of their heads from red to blue! - Turkeys can make over 20 different sounds, not just gobbling! - Wild turkeys, from which they descend, sleep high in trees! ## Special abilities - **Eagle-Eyed Forager:** Narragansett Turkey has exceptional eyesight that helps them spot tiny seeds and insects hidden in the grass. - **Quick Getaway:** Narragansett Turkey can run surprisingly fast because of its strong legs that help it escape danger on the ground. - **Acrobatic Flight (Short Bursts):** Narragansett Turkey can fly short distances quickly that helps them reach high roosts or flee from predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 70-115 cm - **Wingspan:** 120-150 cm - **Weight:** 5.5-12.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 25 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 8-15 - **Incubation:** 28 days ## Diet & Feeding Narragansett Turkeys are omnivores, munching on seeds, nuts, insects, and leafy greens. - **Primary Foods:** seeds, acorns, insects, berries, grubs, small amphibians - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Coyotes are common predators of turkeys. - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — Large owls can prey on young or adult turkeys. - **Depends on:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Turkeys rely on acorns from oak trees. - **Eats:** Red Wood Ant (*Formica rufa*) — Narragansett turkeys forage for many types of ants. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Narragansett Turkey? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Narragansett Turkey? 70-115 cm ### What is Narragansett Turkey's wingspan? 120-150 cm ### How much does Narragansett Turkey weigh? 5.5-12.5 kg ### How long does Narragansett Turkey live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Narragansett Turkey move? 25 km/h ### What does Narragansett Turkey eat? Narragansett Turkeys are omnivores, munching on seeds, nuts, insects, and leafy greens. ### Where is Narragansett Turkey usually found? They are commonly found in forests, fields, and grasslands across North America. ## Where to spot - [Ambler Heights Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ambler-heights-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Ames Nowell State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ames-nowell-state-park) — Massachusetts, US · State Park - [Arastradero Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arastradero-preserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/armstrong-redwoods-state-natural-reserve) — California, US · State Park - [Atchison Village](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/atchison-village) — California, US · Neighborhood - [Barrington Civic Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrington-civic-center-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District [View all places to see Narragansett Turkey](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/narragansett-turkey) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Narragansett Turkey: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/narragansett-turkey)