Ocellated Turkey - Yucatan Peninsula

Unlike its northern relative, the Ocellated Turkey does not have a broad range. It's only found on the Yucatán Peninsula, which embraces a few Mexican states, the northern half of Belize, and Guatemala's northern Petén region.

The ancient Mayans revered turkeys. They considered them powerful and valued their iridescent feathers and impressive leg spurs. They traded for Wild Turkeys from the north, which they domesticated. But they also greatly appreciated the local Ocellated Turkeys living in forests just outside their settlements. Both species were eaten, sacrificed, and worshiped. On his epithet, a Mayan leader was even honored as Chak Ak'ach Yuhk, translated by archaeologists to mean “Great Male Turkey, Shaker of Cities.”




https://abcbirds.org/bird/ocellated-turkey/