How do you tell?

[Rut-Nut]

HEy guys- how do you tell a Merriams from a Rio Grande? We have a turkey mount to display at our sportsmen's dinner but the owner did not shoot it and doesn;t know anything about it. I know it is not an eastern, since the tips of the tail feathers are light colored. But wondered how you identify it?

[Rhino]

Re: How do you tell?

Why don't you post a picture of it and there's a number of us that can tell you if it's a Merriam or a Rio.

A Merriam has white tipped fan feathers along with other distinquisable white tipped feathers too. A Rio has light tipped fan feathers too but there aren't as white as a Merriam.

[arrow32]

Re: How do you tell?

Pics please.

[Rut-Nut]

Re: How do you tell?

Ok thanks guys- My guess was a merriams since the tail feathers were very light- but I wasn;t positive. I don;t have a digital camera, but I'll see if I can borrow one. Thanks.

[Rhino]

Re: How do you tell?

Please post a pic...like I said, a Rio has light tipped tail feathers too but a Merriams is bright white.

[Guest INHunterman]

Re: How do you tell?

It also depends on where it was taken. Some areas of the country have Rio/Merriam hybrids. In that case it's really hard to tell.

[punkinslinger]

Re: How do you tell?

Yeah, the one I shot in Northern California had buff colored tail feathers and we all guessed it was a Rio or....could have been a cross??? I'll take a look at it Sat. Rut-Nut!

[Strut10]

Re: How do you tell?

[ QUOTE ]

Please post a pic...like I said, a Rio has light tipped tail feathers too but a Merriams is bright white.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep. A Merriam's gobbler generally appers to be a blacker bird than a Rio.