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Meleagris ocellata
There are only two species of turkey in the world; the North American wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), divided into five distinct subspecies, and the ocellated turkey (Meleagris ocellata). The ocellated turkey is known by several different names that vary by Central American locale: pavo, pavo ocelado, or its Mayan Indian name, ucutz il chican. The ocellated turkey exists only in a 50,000 square mile area comprised of the Yucatan Peninsula range includes the states of Quintana Roo, Campeche and Yucatan, as well as parts of southern Tabasco and northeastern Chiapas.
Spotted on Nov 7, 2013
Submitted on Dec 13, 2013
12 Comments
Stunning ! A well deserved SOTD -Congratulations Mike.
Beautiful and interesting spotting!
We hope this message finds you well Mike! Congratulations, your splendid Ocellated Turkey has been chosen as a special Thanksgiving Spotting of the Day:
"Project Noah contributors and friends celebrating Thanksgiving today are likely to find a turkey on their dinner table. Turkeys (genus Meleagris) are large birds native to the Americas, and were first domesticated in ancient Mexico. Did you know that together with the more familiar wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), there exists a second, rather splendid turkey species? The ocellated turkey (Meleagris ocellata) is found in the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico as well as in the northern and western parts of Belize and in northern Guatemala. The ocelli, for which the ocellated turkey is named, are spots found on the tail similar to patterns typically found on peafowl. Turkeys were for long considered to be their own family—the Meleagrididae—but recent genetic analysis have placed them as a subfamily in the family Phasianidae. The ocellated turkey is classified as Nearly Threatened by the IUCN".
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Cool series and color!
Wow, really a beautiful spotting! I had no idea there are only two species of turkey. really cool to know thanks Mike!
Spectacular bird!
Great series Mike!
What amazing plumage!
Cool fowl!
Great photos of one very handsome bird. Good info too. Cheers, Mike.
Beauty !
What a beautiful bird.. :)