Royal Palm Turkeys are a breed of Turkey best known as an
ornamental bird with a unique appearance, largely white with bands of metallic
black.
Royal Palm Turkeys first appeared in the 1920s on a farm in
Lake Worth, Florida, apparently as a cross between Black, Bronze, Narragansett,
and native turkeys. After years of selective breeding the Royal Palm was
finally accepted by the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection
in 1971.
The toms are noted for being non-aggressive, and the hens
are particularly good mothers, but they are too small for commercial use. They
are primarily kept as an exhibition bird, or on small farms.
Royal Palm Turkeys are a very endangered breed. They are on the
watch list with the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. They are also
included in Slow Food USA's Ark of Taste, a catalog of heritage foods in danger
of extinction. And Australia and The US both report the breed as Endangered.
In Europe, a turkey with similar coloration is sometimes
called the Cröllwitzer, Pied, or Black-laced White.
About Royal Palm Turkeys
