Ocellated turkey Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Ocellated turkey

Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Meleagris
Species:	ocellata

Approximate distribution

The ocellated turkey (Meleagris ocellata) is a special type of turkey. It mostly lives in the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. You can also find it in parts of Belize and Guatemala. This bird is related to the wild turkey found in North America.

Ocellated turkeys are quite large birds. They can be about 70–122 cm (28–48 in) long. Females usually weigh about 3 kg (6.6 lb). Males are heavier, weighing around 5 kg (11 lb).

This turkey lives in an area of about 130,000 km² (50,000 sq mi). This includes parts of the Mexican states of Quintana Roo, Campeche, Yucatán, Tabasco, and Chiapas. It also lives in northern and western Belize and northern Guatemala.

What Does the Ocellated Turkey Look Like?
Life and Habits of the Ocellated Turkey
- Reproduction and Life Cycle
- Sounds and Calls
Is the Ocellated Turkey in Danger?
Images for kids
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What Does the Ocellated Turkey Look Like?

The ocellated turkey is named for the eye-shaped spots (ocelli) on its tail feathers.

Both male and female ocellated turkeys have beautiful feathers. Their body feathers are a mix of bronze and green colors. These colors shimmer and change in the light. Female birds might look a bit duller with more green. However, you cannot tell if a turkey is male or female just by looking at its chest feathers.

Unlike some other turkeys, neither the male nor the female ocellated turkey has a "beard" of coarse feathers on its chest. Their tail feathers are bluish-grey. Near the end of each tail feather, there is a special eye-shaped spot. This spot is blue-bronze with a bright gold tip. These spots are called ocelli, which means "little eyes." They look a lot like the patterns you see on a peafowl's tail.

The feathers on their upper wings are a rich, shiny copper color. Their main wing feathers have stripes, similar to North American turkeys. But the ocellated turkey's wing feathers have more white, especially around the edges.

Both male and female ocellated turkeys have blue heads. They also have some orange or red bumps, called nodules, on their heads. These bumps are much more noticeable on males. Males also have a fleshy blue crown on their heads. This crown is covered with nodules, just like those on their neck. During the breeding season, this crown gets bigger and turns a brighter yellow-orange color.

A ring of bright red skin surrounds the eye. This red ring is easiest to see on males when they are ready to breed. Their legs are a deep red color. They are shorter and thinner than the legs of North American turkeys. Male turkeys that are older than one year have spurs on their legs. These spurs are sharp growths that average 4 cm (1.6 in) long. Some have even been measured at over 6 cm (2.4 in)! These spurs are much longer and thinner than those on North American turkeys.

Ocellated turkeys are smaller than any of the wild turkey types found in North America. Adult female turkeys weigh about 4 kg (8.8 lb) before they lay eggs. The rest of the year, they weigh around 3 kg (6.6 lb). Adult males weigh about 5–6 kg (11–13 lb) during the breeding season.

Life and Habits of the Ocellated Turkey

Ocellated turkeys spend most of their time on the ground. If they sense danger during the day, they often prefer to run away instead of flying. However, they can fly very fast and strongly for short distances when they need to. At night, they usually roost high up in trees. This keeps them safe from predators like jaguars. They often roost in family groups.

Ocellated turkeys eat many different kinds of food. They are known to eat insects like beetles, moths, and leafcutter ants. They also eat grass seeds, nuts, and leaves. Male turkeys eat much more in January, before the breeding season starts. They eat less when the breeding season is in full swing. Before the breeding season, adult male turkeys are often seen in small groups, usually no more than three birds. Larger groups, with eight or more birds, are usually made up of younger turkeys and females.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

The breeding season for the ocellated turkey starts in early February. This is when the first "gobbles" are heard. The busiest time for breeding is in March, and it ends by late April. Male ocellated turkeys perform a special dance to attract females. They use their tail feathers, just like North American turkeys. However, their dance has some unique differences.

Male turkeys start their mating dance by tapping their feet quickly on the ground. Then, they move their tail feathers from side to side. They also vibrate their wings quickly, dragging the tips on the ground. As the male dances, he moves around the female. He makes sure she can always see the top side of his tail feathers.

Ocellated turkey chicks, called poults, hatch from May through July. The eggs hatch after about 28 days. Female ocellated turkeys lay 8 to 15 eggs in a nest hidden on the ground. The poults are covered in reddish-brown feathers. This helps them blend in with their surroundings and hide from predators. The young poults can leave the nest after just one night. They follow their mother until they become young adults. Then, they start to explore on their own, but often meet up again to roost.

Sounds and Calls

The sounds made by female ocellated turkeys are similar to their relatives in the north. However, the male's call, known as a "gobble," is quite different. The gobble starts with several low "thumps." It sounds a bit like a small engine starting. As the thumps get faster, the typical gobble sound is made.

Some people describe the male ocellated turkey's song differently. They say it has six to seven bongo-like bass tones. These tones get faster and louder until they reach a peak. At this point, the bird's head is fully upright. Then, he makes a rather high-pitched but musical series of sounds. The ocellated turkey usually starts singing 20 to 25 minutes before sunrise. This is similar to the wild turkey.

Is the Ocellated Turkey in Danger?

The ocellated turkey has faced some challenges. In 2002, Mexican authorities considered it an endangered species. Since 2009, the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has listed it as "Near Threatened." This means it could become endangered in the future if we don't protect it.

The number of ocellated turkeys is believed to have gone down. This is because of changes in how land is used. Also, too many turkeys have been hunted by people living in the Yucatán Peninsula. A study in 2011 showed that ocellated turkeys were an important part of the diet for four main groups of people in the Yucatán Peninsula.