I'm going to Turkey hunting this year for the first time, mostly a deer and upland bird hunter. How do you tell the difference between the Eastern and Rio Turkeys?

I am no turkey hunter, but I don't think I am going too far out on a limb when I say that the Rio has a light band across the outer end of his tail feathers.

If you hunt in east Texas, then you will be hunting Easterns. Anywhere else in Texas you'll be hunting Rios. Rios do have lighter buff colored feathers in the fan, but that color varies. I've killed Rios that were colored almost like a Merriams, and I've killed some that were a darker color. Easterns are usually going to have a brown fan with a slightly lighter shade of brown on the tips, but I have killed Easterns that have a lighter buff color on the tips of the fan, but still not as light as a Rio. Also, the Rio has a higher pitched gobble than the Eastern. Rios are generally easier to call in than Easterns, but any pressured bird can be very difficult to call in, Rio or Eastern. There are very few states that have both Easterns and Rios, so odds are you won't have any problems distinguishing the difference between the two.

The Eastern has darker tail feather markings the Rio has a lighter tail feather markings.

RIO



EASTERN

Thanks guys i really appreciate it, and the pictures help a ton! I will be hunting in east Texas. Again guys you've been a real big help.

Excellent pictures and nice birds!

Thanks Barnez,

Those were part of my first ever single season Grand Slam.
I finally did it and its off the Bucket list. LOL

thanks for the photos. i've been trying to identify a feather i found out and about and now i know it's from a Rio. :o)

Be carfull to where your bird hunting in east texas...alot of counties shut off there turkey seasons due to an attempt to try and bring the eastern back to east texas