Seeing it is Thanksgiving in the USA today ie Thursday, and turkey is a traditional food on this day, I'd thought I'd have a look at the Australian versions of "wild turkey".



Not known to a lot of people, Kangaroo Island in South Australia has a population of wild turkey. KI not having foxes has populations of animals extinguished elsewhere in Australia and also introduced populations of game normally hard hunted by foxes and wild cats.



A picture off the net of a bunch of "wild turkeys". I have taken some transparencies of them over the years, and they don't stand still for the camera, but are not that "wild". I doubt they are hunted much or at all. Are they protected? I don't know. Never shot one. Would like too, yes and eat it.

What species are they?

Found this reference on the net:

Quote:

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Australian Brush-turkey Alectura lathami AMB Int Inc 4 6

Common name: #Australian Brush-turkey
Incidence: At least several records each season, includes the concept - resident
Abundance: Moderate
Historical Status: Increased, Introduced
Breeding: Breeding
Habitats: COASTAL MALLEE: coastal and subcoastal scrub and shrubland (heath), generally growing on limestone and calcareous dunes. FOREST: river valleys and alluvial plains.

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Is this the same species as shown in the photo?

Also the "Australian Bush Turkey" is what the Bustard is often named, and that looks like a different bird completely to me.


Kangaroo Island