Ocellated Turkey

(Meleagris ocellata)

There are only two species of turkey in the world, the North American “Wild Turkey” (well known from Thanksgiving dinner) and this incredibly colorful fellow: The Ocellated Turkey. It is only found in the Yucatan Peninsula of Central America. (Ever wonder what are baby turkeys called?)

I photographed this particular guy strutting around the grounds of an ancient Maya ruin in Tikal National Park Guatemala. I know it’s a male because of the brilliant red eye-ring which appears in mating season.