Aussie Finch Forum

Hi, Frank Indiviglio here. I’m a zoologist and book author, recently retired from a career spent at several zoos, aquariums, and museums, including over 20 years with the Bronx Zoo.
Stories about the North American Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallipavo) and its domestic cousins abound as Thanksgiving approaches. And certainly this impressive and economically important bird is worthy of attention (please see articles linked below). But there is another turkey – and only one – a breathtakingly beautiful bird that is largely overlooked by zoos and private aviculturists alike. I had the good fortune of working with this species, the Ocellated Turkey (Meleagris ocellata), at the Bronx Zoo. Bringing to mind a turkey-peafowl hybrid, this fascinating bird is threatened by poaching and habitat loss, and deserves more attention from bird enthusiasts. Today I’ll take a look at its natural history and captive care. Read the rest of the article here http://bit.ly/1uVbuFK
Please also check out my posts on Twitter http://bit.ly/13pzqCu and Face Book http://on.fb.me/KckP1m

My Bio, with photos of animals I’ve been lucky enough to work with http://bitly.com/LC8Lbp

Thanks, Frank

I have seen Ocellated Turkeys in Belize in 2005. Was lucky enough to see quite a few of them and chickens as well.

I notice in todays news, that President Obama was Granting a Presidential Pardon to a Symbolic Thanksgiving Turkey. Maybe he can use his Presidential Muscle to help save the
Ocellated Turkey from Extinction.

Thanks for the share Frank. Very good reading. Turkeys are one of my favorites. I also used to enjoy watching wild turkeys at Hocking Hills.
Every year PBS does a special "Everything Turkey", and this is my favorite documentary:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xvccpd ... shortfilms

And on the humourous side, my favorite is:

http://youtu.be/wPiMp89YHko

I hope you can get people involved in saving the ocellated Turkey.

BluJay wrote:Thanks for the share Frank. Very good reading. Turkeys are one of my favorites. I also used to enjoy watching wild turkeys at Hocking Hills.
Every year PBS does a special "Everything Turkey", and this is my favorite documentary:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xvccpd ... shortfilms

And on the humourous side, my favorite is:

http://youtu.be/wPiMp89YHko

I hope you can get people involved in saving the ocellated Turkey.

Much appreciated! I watch them in N. NJ these days, have re-established themselves. They really are very interesting, and under-appreciated (other than at the dinner table!)..There are some protected areas for ocellateds, and they do well in these areas...but enforcement over most of their range is very difficult ..Happy Thanksgiving, Frank