The ocellated turkey (Meleagris ocellata) is a species of turkey residing primarily in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico, as well as in parts of Belize and Guatemala. It is a relatively large bird, at around long and an average weight of in females and in males.

The ocellated turkey lives only in a range in the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico—which includes all or part of the states of Quintana Roo, Campeche, Yucatán, Tabasco, and Chiapas—as well as the northern and western parts of Belize and northern Guatemala.

The ocellated turkey was considered endangered by Mexican authorities as recently as 2002 The upper, major secondary wing coverts are rich iridescent copper. The primary and secondary wing feathers have similar barring to that of North American turkeys, but the secondaries have more white, especially around the edges.

Both sexes have blue heads with some orange or red nodules, which are more pronounced on males. The males also have a fleshy blue crown covered with nodules, similar to those on the neck, behind the snood. During breeding season this crown swells up and becomes brighter and more pronounced in its yellow-orange color. The eye is surrounded by a ring of bright red skin, which is most visible on males during breeding season. The legs are deep red and are shorter and thinner than on North American turkeys. Males over one year old have spurs on the legs that average , with lengths of over being recorded. These spurs are much longer and thinner than on North American turkeys.

Ocellated turkeys are much smaller than any of the subspecies of North American wild turkey, with adult hens weighing about before laying eggs and 3 kg (6–7 pounds) the rest of the year, and adult males weighing about during breeding season.

Vocalizations of the hen ocellated turkeys are similar to those of their northern relatives, however the male vocalization known as a "gobble" is quite different in comparison. The gobble begins with several low frequency "thumps", much like the sound of a small gasoline motor starting. As the tempo of thumps increases, the typical gobble is produced. Its carcasses were also offered to use by Mayan chiefs, even found in their tombs.

References

  • Images and movies of the ocellated turkey (Meleagris ocellata)—ARKive
  • Ocellated turkey videos, photos & sounds on Cornell Lab Macaulay Wildlife Media Archive