Are these both rio’s ?

[Tekla]

Are these both Rios ? Shot together but they sure seem different ?

 

[hobbes]

Where were you hunting? One looks Rio, the other looks Rio/Eastern hybrid. If that's the case and they were together, they are both hybrid with one displaying more Rio characteristics than the other.

 

[GSPHUNTER]

The lighter tail feather tip look more like Merrriam.

 

[Tekla]

South Texas. Both were not together but within 2-3 miles of each other

 

[hobbes]

South Texas. Both were not together but within 2-3 miles of each other

They are rios then. All subspecies have a range of color. If you are far enough east for an Eastern hybrid then that is possible with top fan. I would consider bottom fan a classic Rio fan. It would be on the very dark end of Merriam's and considering south Texas, it's a Rio.

 

[Taudisio]

^^ yes. Have only rios around here. Some fans are eastern dark, some almost merriams light, some birds are leucistic. I imagine it comes from when the birds were brought back to the area. The two with me in it were shot 200 yards apart. The two with my bow were the same property, same stand, back to back days.

 

[ElkArcher918]

I've hunted Easterns, Merriams, and Rios. Both birds in the photo are Texas Rios.

 

[Irish Miner]

I would agree both are likely Rios.

Hybrids now days are not uncommon, but obviously they will be present when two different species occupy the same general area.

 

[FLATHEAD]

That first one looks like every Eastern I've ever seen.

 

[Scottf270]

I'd say yes. There are so many areas where turkeys were transplanted and intermingled that most areas west of western Missouri, Iowa etc show variations. Even in Merriam's country, all birds are not snow white on their tail fans.
My son and I doubled within seconds on birds in central Oklahoma in 2018. His was more like an Eastern and mine was more Rio.
The color near the base of the tail fan will be golden colored even if the tips look black or darker like an Eastern.