Cool Color Gobbler

[buckcanyonlodge]

Thought this gobbler has a neat color. Not the usual white rump of a Merriams. I have seen toms like this before...  but not to common. I took pics of him with a "normal "gobbler for comparison. This one would be a good mount!

[Dan-o]

Cool looking bird.

Do you think that's natural color variation, or did a Rio sneak into the family tree, or....?

[elkhunter1977]

Very cool indeed! He’d look great on my wall! lol thanks for sharing

[BPturkeys]

I've shot probably 20-25 gobblers within a couple mile radius of your lodge and have seen wide variations in the coloration of the birds. Some so dark you'd think they were Easterns and others so white they are surly pure Merriams. This guy is sure a pretty birds and is most likely a hybrid as many birds in your area area.

[Jpmiller]

This is one of those times I wish I could see all my colors 

[baldopepper]

Really nice pictures!  Birds look like they're getting ready for the spring fling!!  Seems the flocks wintered well this year, lot of birds but I think they'll still be in their big winter flocks for the youth opener.  Havent seen much sign of them breaking up yet, but the toms are starting to strut their stuff.

[Yelper Guy]

There is definitely a mix of colors with the gobblers in that area.
I've gotten nearly pure white ones & the creamier colored ones.
I think we've got Merrios!
 I heard during the early releases (back in the 60's & 70's)
they confused some of the Rio's with Merriams.

[Ridgeratt]

There is definitely a mix of colors with the gobblers in that area.
I've gotten nearly pure white ones & the creamier colored ones.
I think we've got Merrios!
 I heard during the early releases (back in the 60's & 70's)
they confused some of the Rio's with Merriams.

They set species by geographic boundries. In the infancy of the importation of a non-native species it was this looks like a good place to turn some loose.  Oh does this sound like some other misguided reintroduction. 
 

[BPturkeys]

They set species by geographic boundries. In the infancy of the importation of a non-native species it was this looks like a good place to turn some loose.  Oh does this sound like some other misguided reintroduction. 

A bird could launch across the river (Spokane) and after a minute or so glide could turn into a whole new subspecies. If you where trying to fill a slam you only needed to drive a short distance across the river to get two different subspecies.

[Ridgeratt]

They set species by geographic boundries. In the infancy of the importation of a non-native species it was this looks like a good place to turn some loose.  Oh does this sound like some other misguided reintroduction. 

A bird could launch across the river (Spokane) and after a minute or so glide could turn into a whole new subspecies. If you where trying to fill a slam you only needed to drive a short distance across the river to get two different subspecies.

Exact thing happened one year by Little falls watch a bird in the roost on the north side. I was on the south bank when he committed and launched to come across half way he was still a Merriam's. When he hit the middle of the river he became a Rio.
Due to the fact he misjudged the distance when he landed in the river he was a Duck!!! Got back on shore and looked around like I hope no one saw that.  Wandered up to the decoys and then went home. 

[emac]

I got one a couple years ago. All i could figure os a merian and rio cross. Notice no tiger strips on the wings and white nails

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