Reflections on the Diversity of Wild Turkey Species

How many species of wild turkey exist?

There are six subspecies of wild turkey native to North America. Do you think there might be more undiscovered species?

Answer

There are six subspecies of wild turkey native to North America, with varying conservation status and no specific mention of the exact number of wild turkey species in the provided information.

The wild turkey is a bird species native to North and Central America that has played a significant role in American history and tradition. While the information provided discusses the history of the turkey and the various species of animals and birds, it does not specify the exact number of wild turkey species. However, the consensus within ornithology indicates that there are six subspecies of wild turkey, all native to North America. These subspecies include the Eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris), Osceola or Florida wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo osceola), Rio Grande wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia), Merriam's wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo merriami), Gould's wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo mexicana), and the South Mexican wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo gallopavo).

These birds are known for their significant cultural and ecological importance, with the Eastern wild turkey being the most widespread. Their conservation status varies among subspecies, with some being common and others, like the Gould's, being rarer and of conservation concern.