Rio Grande Wild Turkey

The Rio Grande Wild Turkey is native to the Central Plains States.
They can be distinguished from the Eastern Wild Turkey by having tail feathers and tail/rumps coverts tipped with yellowish-buff or tan color, rather than medium or dark brown.
Hence the color is consistently lighter than in the Eastern and darker than the same feathers in the Merriam.
Hens average 8-12 lbs. and males weigh about 20 lbs. at maturity.
The Rio Grande inhabits brush areas near streams or rivers or mesquite, pine and scrub oak forests.
It may be found up to 6000 ft. elevation and generally favors country that is more open then wooded habitat favored by it's Eastern cousins.