A Turkey on Turkey Day

[Canon Guy]

I'm heading to Playa del Carmen Mexico this weekend for a little get-away,so I've spent just a little time on a message board run by some folks down there. I posted this photo that I took on our last visit and it got quite a bit of a reaction. Nobody had ever seen this bird before and after doing some research I see it is only found in the Yucatan Peninsula and in parts of Belize and Guatamala, and is in danger of extinction. It is called a Ocellated Turkey. I ran across it near the road while driving through the jungle.

[MN Shutterbug]

That's gotta be the prettiest turkey I've ever seen.

[MuleShack]

Really a great looking bird, pretty colors.

[eyeguy 54]

nice. looks like part peacock.

[Hwood]

cool bird.

[DonBo]

Actually there are huntable populations in parts of Central America.

As always, hunters are in the forefront of conservation. Hunter dollars are used in the area to educate the locals, transport turkeys into other suitable habitat and also learn about habitat needs so we can create better habitat for more turkeys.

That's a great shot of a relatively rare bird and I'm jealous.

[Borch]

Knew what it was as soon as I saw it being a turkey fanatic.

Very cool!