My favorite of these turkey coloring pages is the big gobbler with his bright red wattle and his tail fanned in a circle behind him. The other one is the huge wild turkey. He looks like the grandpa!
Did you know that the daddy turkey is called a tom and that the momma is a hen? Young ones are called jakes and jennies and little ones are called poults and chicks.
I may make a small commission through offsite links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Crayola has my favorite colors because their crayons, paints, and markers color so smoothly on any kind of paper.
Turkeys come in a vibrant array of colors, from iridescent greens and coppers to rich chestnut browns. Their striking plumage makes them a favorite bird to color during the fall and Thanksgiving season. But with so many potential color combinations, what are the best colors to use when coloring a turkey?
Follow this guide to choose the perfect colors to capture the essence of turkeys in your coloring pages.
Plumage Colors for Wild Turkeys
Wild turkeys display a diverse palette of earthy hues and dramatic patterns in their feathers Here are typical colors found on the body parts of wild turkeys
Body
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Iridescent green, bronze and copper
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Intricate patterns of brown, black, white, orange and chestnut
Wings
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Primaries: White tips and bold black-and-white barring
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Secondaries: Bronze, chestnut, iridescent green
Tail
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Rectrices: Bands of chestnut brown, black, white
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Tips: Creamy white or buff edges
Head
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Red, blue or gray bare skin
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Bright red wattle (fleshy flap over beak)
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Black beard (cluster of specialized feathers)
Plumage Colors Based on Sex
Male turkeys (toms/gobblers) have much more vibrant, boldly-patterned plumage than females.
Male
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Iridescent bronzes, coppers and greens
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Vivid red, orange, blue during mating season
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Strong black-and-white barring on wings
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Long tail feathers with white tips
Female
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Earthy brown, black, gray, buff
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Thin barring of black and white
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Shorter, camouflaged rectrices
Best Colors for Coloring Turkey Plumage
Body
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Metallic/iridescent markers or crayons in bronze, copper, gold
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Browns, tans, beiges for subtle mottled patterns
Wings
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Black and white for bold barred pattern
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Orange, red, purple for iridescent tones
Tail
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Browns, grays, black for barring
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White, cream, yellow for edges
Head
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Red, pink, purple for wattle
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Blue, gray for bare skin
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Black for beard
Legs
- Yellow, orange, pink for feet and legs
Tips for Coloring Turkeys
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Use light pressure and blend colors to achieve iridescent sheen
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Vary pressure for depth and dimension
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Add background of fall leaves, grass, fence for seasonal scene
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Sharpen darker values around edges to make feathers “pop”
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Have fun with creative embellishments like hats or pilgrim outfits
Fun Color Variations
While natural colors are recommended, you can also get creative with fun color combinations like:
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Rainbow tail feathers
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Pink or blue body with purple wings
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Black and white palette for vintage style
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Neon pallette for psychedelic turkey
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Metallic golds and silvers for regal turkey
Let your imagination run wild when coloring turkeys! The vibrant nature of their feathers provides plenty of opportunity for creative expression. Just be sure to use your best coloring implements for smooth, vivid coverage.
With this guide to choosing colors for turkey plumage, you’ll be able to create stunning, accurate depictions of these autumn icons. Honoring their beautiful feathers will make your turkey coloring page something to be thankful for!
Detailed and Realistic Turkey Coloring Pages
Enjoy some turkey love and wonderful farm and field landscapes here.
Detailed Turkey Coloring Page
Preschool and elementary school kids will love Fuzzys ad-free PDF printable coloring pages. These digital coloring pages for kids and adults are fun to customize and color for preschool, kindergarten, and homeschool.
Add your name or write a birthday message in your favorite fonts, SIZES, and colors. Youll love using my interactive coloring pages to print! See my main page for more info on digital downloads.
- Use your printers booklet setting for birthday cards.
- Use the multiples setting for doll sized printables two to four up.
- Kindergarten children love these in school and at home!
Also, get your favorite crayons, coloring pencils, and watercolors ready for my relaxing adult coloring pages!
How to create a Color Wheel Turkey
FAQ
What colors are good for turkey hunting?
What are the Colours for turkey?
What do the colors of a turkey’s head mean?