NWTF Wildlife Bulletin No. 6 - Ocellated Turkey

There are only 2 species of turkey in the world; the North American wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), divided into 5 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. Very little research has been done on the ocellated and less is known about the ecology of this turkey than any of the 5 subspecies of North American wild turkeys, including the Gould's (Meleagris gallopavo mexicana). The National Wild Turkey Federation, in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society and Hornocker Wildlife Institute, helped sponsor the first research project to trap and place radio transmitters on ocellated turkeys in Guatemala in 1993. Much of the information provided in this bulletin is a result of this NWTF-sponsored study.

Author(s):

Taylor, Curtis I.; Quigley, Howard B.; Gonzalez, Maria J.

Published:

2001/01/01

Categories:

  • Forest Wildlife

Pub ID:

(For Internal Use)
50

Box ID:

(For Internal Use)
8