Narragansett Turkey
Common Name: Narragansett Turkey
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopav
Physical Description: The Narragansett Turkey is a subspecies of the Wild Turkey, domesticated and bred for farming purposes. Their feathers are primarily grey, except for their tail feathers, which are brown with white tips. Males can grow up to 48 inches and 25 pounds, while females are smaller, reaching only 18 pounds. Both sexes have a blue and red face, and males will typically have a larger wattle than females.
Habitat: The Narragansett Turkey’s wild counterpart lives in a diverse array of habitats including Forests, shrublands, savanna, and grasslands. Capable of flight, they will roost in trees at night. The domesticated Narragansett Turkey can be found in farms across the nation and world1.
Range: Their wild ancestor can be found across North America.
Diet: They will eat fruits, seeds, and insects.
Life Span: They live 7-10 years on average2.
Social Structure: Narragansett Turkeys are capable of over 20 different distinct vocalizations. During the breeding season the male will display for a female their feathers and call for a mate with one of those sounds, the distinct “gobble”. As baby turkeys, or poults, are unable to fly, the mother will stay on the ground with them for their first few weeks, keeping them warm and safe.
Status: As a domesticated species, they are not assessed by the IUCN.
Other: The Narragansett Turkey is a heritage breed, meaning it retains some of its wild traits and behaviors as a domesticated species.
1 https://buffalozoo.org/animal/narragansett-turkey/
2 https://happyhollow.org/explore/zoo/zoo-on-the-hill/narragansett-turkey/
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopav
Physical Description: The Narragansett Turkey is a subspecies of the Wild Turkey, domesticated and bred for farming purposes. Their feathers are primarily grey, except for their tail feathers, which are brown with white tips. Males can grow up to 48 inches and 25 pounds, while females are smaller, reaching only 18 pounds. Both sexes have a blue and red face, and males will typically have a larger wattle than females.
Habitat: The Narragansett Turkey’s wild counterpart lives in a diverse array of habitats including Forests, shrublands, savanna, and grasslands. Capable of flight, they will roost in trees at night. The domesticated Narragansett Turkey can be found in farms across the nation and world1.
Range: Their wild ancestor can be found across North America.
Diet: They will eat fruits, seeds, and insects.
Life Span: They live 7-10 years on average2.
Social Structure: Narragansett Turkeys are capable of over 20 different distinct vocalizations. During the breeding season the male will display for a female their feathers and call for a mate with one of those sounds, the distinct “gobble”. As baby turkeys, or poults, are unable to fly, the mother will stay on the ground with them for their first few weeks, keeping them warm and safe.
Status: As a domesticated species, they are not assessed by the IUCN.
Other: The Narragansett Turkey is a heritage breed, meaning it retains some of its wild traits and behaviors as a domesticated species.
1 https://buffalozoo.org/animal/narragansett-turkey/
2 https://happyhollow.org/explore/zoo/zoo-on-the-hill/narragansett-turkey/
