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Meleagris gallopavo intermedia
This subspecies was first described by George B. Sennett in 1879, who said it was internediate in appearance between the eastern and western subspecies, hence it's scientific name.
DESCRIPTION It is similar in general appearance to the other subspecies of wild turkey, but has disproportionately long legs. The Rio Grande turkeys are comparatively pale and copper colored. They are distinguished from the Eastern and osceola subspecies by having tail feathers and tail/rump coverts tipped with yellowish-buff or tan colors rather than medium or dark brown. Although there has been more variation in the shade of buff/brown in the tail feathers among Rio specimens, the color is consistently lighter than in the Eastern or Osceola birds and darker than the same feathers in the Merriam's or Gould's subspecies.
DISTRIBUTION The Rio Grande turkey ranges through parts of Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, and Colorado. They adapt well and can also be found in parts of Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, and Hawaii because of stocking programs. Also now in Stockedan the Island of New Caledonia.
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