Among the largest birds in North America.
Not listed
At a glance
FamilyPheasants, Grouse, and Allies
SizeGiant
RarityRare
Habitatgrassland, open woodland, closed forest, sparse woodland, and waterbodies
Best timeMost reliable in Tasmania from April.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Stanislas Wroza
Range map
Range map
95visible hotspots
390visible records
3states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Appears dark from a distance. Often seen in small groups in open fields near woods. Gobbling often audible in the spring and early summer.
Behavior
The large-bodied, long-legged and small-headed look of a turkey is distinctive.
Gallery
Regional timing
Tasmania
South Australia
New South Wales
Victoria
Queensland
Northern Territory
Commonly confused with
Indian PeafowlPavo cristatusThe unmistakable iridescent blue male spreads out its ornamental upper tail feathers when courting females. Females have a shorter tail, an iridescent green neck, and browner plumage. Found in forest, forest edge, and agricultural land. Can be fairly confiding especially when found close to human habitation.→Ring-necked PheasantPhasianus colchicusMale has fleshy, red facial wattles, iridescent blue neck, and richly colored red and golden underparts with dark spots; his namesake white neck ring is indistinct on some birds. Female is buffy-brown, heavily marked with black, and usually shows some white markings around the eye. In much of its introduced range, including North America, there are no similar species. Elsewhere, note male’s blue neck and heavily spotted body, and female’s spotted or chevroned (not barred) underparts and mostly plain face lacking strong red markings. Japanese birds are now treated as a separate species, Green Pheasant.→