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wildturkeyDNA

@wildturkeydna

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Account for wildturkeyDNA, a partnership between @wildturkeylab, @official_nwtf, @ducksunlimitedinc , @utep_miners, @lowcountry_gamebird_foundation

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When Tim harvested this turkey in Louisiana during spring 2026, he quickly reached out to us at wildturkeyDNA to see if we could help him determine the origin of the odd plumage in this bird. In short, Tim wondered whether he shot a smoke phase wild turkey, or a Heritage turkey that had escaped or been released. The tail feathers on this bird appear normal for a wild turkey, although the tips on both the tail feathers and rump feathers are lighter than you’d expect for the Eastern subspecies, which is what occurs in Louisiana. The secondary coverts on the wing are white with black tips, and the contour feathers on the body are also white with varying amounts of black in them. Well, genetics testing through wildturkeyDNA revealed that this turkey is 100% wild turkey. In the second image, you can clearly see that Tim’s bird clusters solidly with the hundreds of samples we have tested from Eastern wild turkeys. This is the second bird we’ve tested through wildturkeyDNA that appears to be a smoke phase wild turkey! Congratulations to Tim for harvesting such a unique wild turkey and stay tuned for more results from wildturkeyDNA as we explore the origin of plumage variations and evaluate population genetics in these magnificent birds.
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#science #research #turkeyhunting by @wildturkeydna

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This week wildturkeyDNA heads down to the bayou in Louisiana where Tim shot a unique looking turkey during spring 2026. We’ll post results tomorrow, but drop your thoughts in the comments as to what you think is the origin of the plumage on this bird? It is a wild turkey, a Heritage turkey, or something else?
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#science #research #wildturkeyhunting by @wildturkeydna

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2 days ago

When Zach shot this turkey in Idaho this past spring, he reached out to us at wildturkeyDNA to help him figure out the origin of the white plumage in his bird.
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As with samples from other solid white turkeys we’ve tested, we wanted to know whether Zach’s turkey was a true wild turkey, barnyard bird, a hybrid, or something else.
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It turns out, genetic testing revealed that this bird is 100% wild turkey, and more specifically, is 100% Merriam’s wild turkey.
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You can see clearly in the second image, Zach’s bird clusters directly within other samples we’ve tested from Merriam’s wild turkeys. This wild turkey is leucistic, which is caused by a genetic mutation that results in a loss of pigmentation in feathers. Because the mutation only affects melanin deposition in feathers, the other parts of the bird’s body appear normal.
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Thus far, through wildturkeyDNA we’ve confirmed leucistic wild turkeys across multiple subspecies, and we’re continuing to dig into what the presence of leucistic birds means at a population scale.
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We congratulate Zach on harvesting such a unique wild turkey and stay tuned for more results from wildturkeyDNA as we explore the origin of plumage color variations and other aspects of population genetics in these magnificent birds.
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#science #conservation #research #wildturkeyhunting by @wildturkeydna

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8 days ago

This week wildturkeyDNA heads to Idaho, and an area with stunning views, to identify the origin of the solid white plumage in Zach’s turkey. We will reveal results tomorrow but drop your comments below as to what you think about the origin of the odd plumage in this bird. Is it a wild turkey, a Heritage turkey, or something else?
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#science #research #conservation by @wildturkeydna

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9 days ago

Ever seen anything like this?? @hunterhampton20 stumbled across what appears to be a hen but is, in fact, a GOBBLER! Our National Director of Turkey Research, Patrick Wightman, gives his thoughts on this incredible footage! #nwtf #wildturkey by @wildturkeydna

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14 days ago

When Tyler shot this cool looking turkey in Tennessee during spring 2026, he contacted us to see if we could help determine the origin of the odd plumage sported by his bird. The tail and rump feathers appear mostly normal for the Eastern subspecies of wild turkey, which is what inhabits Tennessee. However, the primary and secondary feathers on the wings have more pronounced white barring than expected, and the contour feathers on the body are in my instances themselves solid white. Likewise, the feathering on the legs is mostly white, and even some of the darker contour feathers on the body are tipped in white. Well, genetic testing through wildturkeyDNA revealed that this unique bird is 100% wild turkey. As you can see in the 2nd image, Tyler’s turkey clusters entirely within other samples known to be from wild turkeys of the Eastern subspecies. This wild turkey shows signs of partial leucism, where some feathers on the body are normal, but others appear white or partially white. Partial leucism results from genetic mutations that cause disruptions in melanin production. Congrats to Tyler for harvesting a beautiful and unique wild turkey and stay tuned for more results from wildturkeyDNA as we explore the origin of plumage color variations in these magnificent birds.
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#science #conservation #research #turkeyhunting by @wildturkeydna

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15 days ago

This week wildturkeyDNA heads back east to make a stop in Tennessee and check out a super interesting looking turkey shot by Tyler during spring 2026. We’ll reveal results tomorrow but drop your thoughts in the comments as to the origin of this bird’s plumage. Is it a wild turkey, a Heritage turkey, or something else?
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#science #wildturkeyhunting #research #conservation by @wildturkeydna

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16 days ago

Collin had been seeing this unique looking turkey on his hunting grounds in Utah, so when he harvested the bird in fall 2025, he reached out to us at wildturkeyDNA to see if we could help him understand the origin of the bird’s odd plumage. Both Rio Grande and Merriam’s wild turkeys were translocated to Utah decades ago, but Collin’s turkey certainly does not look like either of those! The primary feathers are mostly black with a white rachis (shaft), whereas the secondaries are pale white with muted black tones. The contour feathers lack iridescence and have tan hues along with white and black, but the tail is mostly white with a black subterminal band. Genetic testing through wildturkeyDNA revealed that this turkey was 100% Heritage turkey. As you can see in the 2nd image, Collin’s turkey clusters within samples we’ve obtained from other Heritage turkeys. The most likely scenario was that Collin’s turkey escaped from a farm or was released and had become a feral turkey living amongst wild turkeys. We congratulate Collin for harvesting this turkey, which will help keep our local turkey flocks wild. Stay tuned for more results from wildturkeyDNA as we explore the origin of plumage color variations in these magnificent birds. by @wildturkeydna

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22 days ago

Like many big game hunters, wildturkeyDNA heads west this week to see if we can figure out the origin of the unique plumage in Collin’s turkey he harvested in Utah during fall 2025. We’ll reveal results tomorrow, but drop your thoughts in the comments as to the origin of this bird’s plumage. Is it a wild turkey, a Heritage turkey, or something else? by @wildturkeydna

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23 days ago

When Tristen harvested this unique looking turkey in Alabama during spring 2026, he reached out to us at wildturkeyDNA to see if we could help determine the origin of the interesting looking plumage on his bird. The primary feathers are entirely black, and the secondary feathers also lack barring but have varying tones of browns with reddish hues. The contour feathers on the back are also quite dark, and the feathers at the base of the tail are darker than you’d expect in an Eastern wild turkey. Lastly, the tail feathers have an interesting black subterminal band along with reddish tones that create a stunning appearance. Genetics testing through wildturkeyDNA revealed that Tristen’s bird was 100% wild turkey, and what a beautiful wild turkey it is! You can see in the 3rd image that this bird clusters directly within the hundreds of samples we’ve obtained from Eastern wild turkeys, and this bird’s plumage is the result of multiple genetic mutations that are causing overproduction of melanin, which contributes to the dark plumage. Congratulations to Tristan for harvesting such a beautiful and unique wild turkey, and stay tuned for more results from wildturkeyDNA as we explore the origin of plumage variations in these magnificent birds. by @wildturkeydna

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a month ago

This week, wildturkeyDNA stays put in Alabama to take a look at a truly unique turkey harvested by Tristan during spring 2026. We’ll post results tomorrow, but drop your thoughts in the comments as to the origin of the unique plumage on this bird. Is it a wild turkey, a Heritage turkey, or something else? by @wildturkeydna

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Attention fall turkey hunters in Virginia, West Virginia, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine! Your next hunt could unlock vital answers for wild turkey conservation.
The wildturkeyDNA research team wants to expand sample collection across these target states, and citizen-scientists like you hold the key.

Here is how you can help protect the future of the flock:

1. Visit wildturkeydna.com and click register.
2. If selected, a free, postage-paid collection kit will be sent to your door.
3. Harvest a bird this fall? Drop a sample in the vial and mail it back.
4. No harvest this season? Hold onto your kit for spring turkey season!

Every single sample gives researchers crucial insights into landscape and population genetics. Sign up today and make your hunt count for conservation. by @wildturkeydna

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