Ocellated Turkey

Meleagris ocellata

The Ocellated Turkey is a species of turkey native to the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, Belize, and northern Guatemala. It is known for its iridescent plumage and distinctive eye-shaped spots on its tail feathers. Unlike the North American wild turkey, the Ocellated Turkey has a more vibrant coloration, with a blue and green head, and a red and orange throat wattle. These turkeys inhabit tropical lowland forests and can often be found foraging for fruits, seeds, and insects on the forest floor. Due to habitat loss and hunting, the Ocellated Turkey faces conservation concerns and is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN.

Habitat: Tropical lowland forests