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Need some ID clarification

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Need some ID clarification

Old 04-18-2021, 08:59 AM
  #1  
neb
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I haven't posted here for a while but I do stop in very often and always enjoy your knowledge and stories. I do have a question about a long beard I took yesterday.
In hunting turkeys I have taken ~45 birds in my life and I have only taken two with this coulor of fan in all of those years hunting. I'm in Merriam turkey country and was wondering what you think this coulor meanings as far as identity of bird etc.? Not white tipped is what I'm referring too.
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Last edited by neb; 04-18-2021 at 09:04 AM.
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Old 04-18-2021, 10:24 AM
  #2  
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Wow! No one can tell what they think this bird is? I live in north central/eastern Montana.
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Old 04-18-2021, 11:41 AM
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Looks like a Rio Grande turkey from the colors.
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Old 04-18-2021, 01:17 PM
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^ thanks for your response. I was thinking maybe eastern species but I have no idea really. Is a unique coulor from the normal white tipped we have. Maybe some hybrid or mixture of breeds also.

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Old 04-18-2021, 05:35 PM
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Looks like a normal buff coloured Merriam's.
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Old 04-19-2021, 03:54 AM
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Timbrhuntr, thanks for your thoughts. I'm thinking Merriam also just a coulor phase that has occurred.
I did do some research and coulor and they can be white or buff. That is very interesting for me, because living where that is all you see is white tipped feathers. I didn't know they can be buff. Lol

Thanks

Last edited by neb; 04-19-2021 at 04:11 AM.
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Old 04-19-2021, 06:32 AM
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Originally Posted by neb
Timbrhuntr, thanks for your thoughts. I'm thinking Merriam also just a coulor phase that has occurred.
I did do some research and coulor and they can be white or buff. That is very interesting for me, because living where that is all you see is white tipped feathers. I didn't know they can be buff. Lol

Thanks
It is my understanding that buff is the more natural colouring in a true Merriam's and not white . I have shot Rio's in Texas that were almost white as opposed to the more buff type colouring you never know I guess . With Merriam's they seem to have less iridescent breast feathers more purple as opposed to the bronze colour of rio's plus the the tips on the main tail feathers are wider on the Merriam's .

Last edited by Timbrhuntr; 04-19-2021 at 06:35 AM.
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Old 04-19-2021, 04:39 PM
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^^ Thanks, I really did appreciate your detailed identification and knowledge.
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Old 04-27-2021, 05:35 PM
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Normal Buff colored Merriam. Seen alot of that color phase in and around Sundance WY

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Old 04-27-2021, 06:42 PM
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The Rio's I've shot tend to have iridescent breast feathers and tan tail feathers but less white on the wings.
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