Examples of birds that look like turkeys include black grouse, bulwer’s pheasant, crested fireback, dusky grouse, and Elliot’s pheasant.
When most people think of turkeys, they picture the large, red-faced bird that is native to North America. However, there are actually several different species of birds that share many of the same characteristics as the turkey.
These birds, which are collectively known as turkey-like birds, come from all over the world and vary widely in size and appearance. While these birds may not be related to each other biologically, they all share a similar body shape and behaviors that have earned them a place in the turkey family.
Examples of Birds that Look Like Turkeys
1. Black Grouse
| Scientific Name | Lyrurus tetrix |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | mostly found in the northern moorlands and bogs of Eurasia |
The black grouse is a bird that is found in Europe and Asia. It is slightly smaller than the North American turkey, with males weighing in at around 4.4 pounds (2 kilograms).
The black grouse gets its name from its black plumage, which is accented by white stripes on its wings. These birds are known for their aggressive behavior, which often leads to fighting among males during the breeding season.
Related Article: 30 Birds that Eat Other Birds
2. Bulwer’s Pheasant
| Scientific Name | Lophura bulweri |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | island of Borneo |
Found in the rainforests of Southeast Asia, Bulwer’s pheasant is one of the smallest members of the turkey-like birds. This bird gets its name from its long tail feathers, which can reach up to three feet in length. The male of this species also has a very distinctive call, which sounds like a frog croaking.
Related Article: 25 Birds that Honk
3. Crested Fireback
| Scientific Name | Lophura ignita |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | lowland forests of the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Borneo, and Sumatra |
The crested fireback is a large bird that is native to Southeast Asia. These birds get their name from the crest of feathers that adorn their head. The crested fireback is the largest member of the turkey-like bird family and can grow to be up to three feet long.
These birds are mostly black in color with some white markings on their wings. The crested fireback is a shy bird that is not often seen in the wild.
4. Crestless Fireback
| Scientific Name | Lophura erythrophthalma |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore |
The Crestless Fireback is a large bird that is native to Southeast Asia. These birds get their name from the lack of feathers on their head, which gives them a bald appearance. These birds are also known for their long tail feathers and red eyes.
5. Dusky Grouse
| Scientific Name | Dendragapus obscurus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | throughout the western United States and Canada |
The dusky grouse is a large bird that is native to the western United States and Canada. These birds are closely related to the sage grouse and share many of the same characteristics, including their plump body and long tail.
Dusky grouses are usually grey or brown in color, with a light-colored breast and belly. These birds are most commonly found in open woods or meadows, where they spend their time foraging for food.
6. Elliot’s Pheasant
| Scientific Name | Syrmaticus ellioti |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | south-eastern China (Guizhou, Hubei, Anhui, Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangxi, and Guangdong provinces) |
Found in the forests of China and Vietnam, Elliot’s pheasant is one of the largest members of the turkey-like birds. Males can grow up to four feet long and weigh up to eight pounds. The males also have a very distinct appearance, with bright red and blue plumage that is used to attract mates.
7. Francolins
| Scientific Name | Francolinus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Most species are restricted to Africa, but some occur in Asia |
These shy birds are found in Africa, Asia, and Europe. They range in size from about 15 inches to 27 inches long and weigh between one and four pounds. Francolins are brown or gray with spotted plumage and have a long tail that they use for balance when running through the brush.
8. Greater Prairie Chicken
| Scientific Name | Tympanuchus cupido |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | areas that combine small patches of oak woodland and extensive prairie |
The greater prairie chicken is a large bird that is native to the grasslands of North America. These birds are well-known for their elaborate mating displays, which involve the males inflating their chest sacs and drumming their feet on the ground to attract females.
9. Guinea Fowl
| Scientific Name | Numididae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | sub-Saharan Africa |
The guinea fowl is a small, dark-colored bird that is native to Africa. These birds are usually found in the wild, but they have also been domesticated in some parts of the world. Guinea fowl are known for their loud calls, which sound like they are saying “gree-nee” or “gurney.”
10. Gunnison Grouse
| Scientific Name | Centrocercus minimus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | southwestern Colorado and a small part of adjacent Utah |
The Gunnison grouse is a large bird that is found in the Rocky Mountains of North America. This bird has a dark brown body with a light-colored breast and belly. The tail of the Gunnison grouse is long and pointed, and the legs are short and stout.
11. Junglefowl
| Scientific Name | Gallus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | South and Southeast Asia |
The junglefowl is the wild ancestor of the domesticated chicken that we see today. These birds are native to parts of Asia and Africa and are the largest member of the turkey-like bird family. The males of the junglefowl have bright red bodies with blue wings and long tails. Females are much less colorful, with a brownish body and shorter tails.
12. Malayan Peacock-Pheasant
| Scientific Name | Polyplectron malacense |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | the Malay Peninsula region, including extreme southern Thailand |
The Malayan peacock-pheasant is a brightly colored bird that is native to the jungles of Southeast Asia. This bird has a long tail and a distinctive crest on its head that is used to attract mates.
While the Malayan peacock-pheasant is not technically a turkey, it shares many of the same physical characteristics as these birds. This bird is also known to make a similar gobbling sound as turkeys do.
13. Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant
| Scientific Name | Syrmaticus humiae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | forest openings, meadows, and along rural roadsides |
The Mrs. Hume’s pheasant is a large bird that is native to the mountainous regions of central China. This bird gets its name from the Lady Mary Anne Beatrice Percy, Duchess of Northumberland, who was also known as Mrs. Hume.
The Mrs. Hume’s pheasant is one of the largest members of the turkey-like bird family. This bird can grow to be up to four feet long and weigh up to eight pounds. The Mrs. Hume’s pheasant is covered in dark feathers that are flecked with white. The male of this species also has a large, fleshy wattle that hangs down from its neck.
14. Palawan Peacock-Pheasant
| Scientific Name | Polyplectron napoleonis |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | deep in the rainforest of Palawan Island in the Philippines |
The Palawan peacock-pheasant is a beautiful bird that is native to the island of Palawan in the Philippines. This bird is notable for its long tail feathers, which can reach up to four feet in length. The Palawan peacock-pheasant is also the largest member of the turkey-like bird family, weighing in at up to eight pounds.
15. Partridges
| Scientific Name | Alectoris |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East |
Partridges are small, plump birds that are closely related to quails and pigeons. There are more than 57 different species of partridges, which can be found in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Partridges are usually brown or gray in color and have short tails. These birds are known for their loud calls, which they use to communicate with each other.
16. Ring-Necked Pheasant
| Scientific Name | Phasianus colchicus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | along edges of open fields, brushy hedgerows, and forest edges |
The ring-necked pheasant is a bird that is native to Asia but has been introduced to many other parts of the world, including North America. These birds are characterized by their long tail feathers and bright plumage.
Male pheasants are especially colorful, with a greenish-black body and a red neck ring. Females are less brightly colored, with a brownish body and no neck ring. Pheasants are typically found in open areas, such as fields or forest edges.
17. Ruffed Grouse
| Scientific Name | Bonasa umbellus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | across North America |
The ruffed grouse is a bird that is native to North America. These birds are closely related to the wild turkey and share many of the same characteristics. Ruffed grouse are smaller than turkeys and have a reddish-brown plumage. These birds are known for the loud “drumming” sound that they make by beating their wings on the ground.
18. Sooty Grouse
| Scientific Name | Dendragapus obscurus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | western coastal forests, also living in mountain forests in the Sierras of California |
The sooty grouse is a bird that is found in the mountains of the western United States and Canada. These birds are dark brown or black in color, with a small patch of white feathers on their chest. Males also have a long, curved tail feather that they use to attract mates.
19. Vietnamese Pheasant
| Scientific Name | Lophura hatinhensis |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | central Vietnam |
The Vietnamese pheasant (Lophura hatinhensis) is a member of the pheasant family and is native to Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. This bird is also known as the silver pheasant due to its striking plumage. The Vietnamese pheasant has a long tail and a round body with red legs.
20. Western Capercaillie
| Scientific Name | Tetrao urogallus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | northern parts of Europe and the Palearctic in mature conifer forests |
The Western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), also known as the wood grouse, is a large bird that is native to Europe and Asia. This bird gets its name from its call, which sounds like a cappuccino machine. The Western capercaillie is the largest member of the grouse family and can reach up to 4 feet in length.
Male Western capercaillies are especially impressive, with their black feathers and red wattle. These birds are known for their elaborate mating displays, which involve them inflating their throats and making a booming noise.
Conclusion
The turkey-like birds are a large and varied group of birds that are found all over the world. These birds come in many different sizes, colors, and shapes. Some of these birds are very shy and elusive, while others are quite aggressive.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.