What Colors to Use When Coloring a Turkey

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

• Iridescent green, bronze and copper

• Intricate patterns of brown, black, white, orange and chestnut

Wings

• Primaries: White tips and bold black-and-white barring

• Secondaries: Bronze, chestnut, iridescent green

Tail

• Rectrices: Bands of chestnut brown, black, white

• Tips: Creamy white or buff edges

Head

• Red, blue or gray bare skin

• Bright red wattle (fleshy flap over beak)

• 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

• Iridescent bronzes, coppers and greens

• Vivid red, orange, blue during mating season

• Strong black-and-white barring on wings

• Long tail feathers with white tips

Female

• Earthy brown, black, gray, buff

• Thin barring of black and white

• Shorter, camouflaged rectrices

Best Colors for Coloring Turkey Plumage

Body

• Metallic/iridescent markers or crayons in bronze, copper, gold

• Browns, tans, beiges for subtle mottled patterns

Wings

• Black and white for bold barred pattern

• Orange, red, purple for iridescent tones

Tail

• Browns, grays, black for barring

• White, cream, yellow for edges

Head

• Red, pink, purple for wattle

• Blue, gray for bare skin

• Black for beard

Legs

• Yellow, orange, pink for feet and legs

Tips for Coloring Turkeys

• Use light pressure and blend colors to achieve iridescent sheen

• Vary pressure for depth and dimension

• Add background of fall leaves, grass, fence for seasonal scene

• Sharpen darker values around edges to make feathers “pop”

• 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:

• Rainbow tail feathers

• Pink or blue body with purple wings

• Black and white palette for vintage style

• Neon pallette for psychedelic turkey

• 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!