Mexico/Campeche: Calakmul Biosphere Reserve – Oscillated Turkeys
The most common birds spotted in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve – the 60km one-lane road leading to the ruins – are the oscillated turkey (Meleagris ocellata). These massive and very colorful birds are endemic to forests of Yucatan. Although they are somewhat similar to North American turkey – they are turkeys after all – these are larger and shinier, 3kg/6.6lb for females and 5kg/11lb for males. They are threatened in the area of human development, but here in Calakmul there seems to be plenty of them – all on the road for some reason and hardly scared. They forage mostly on the ground, although they are good fliers for short distances, but nest in the trees.
