should a flying turkey head be the "fire" red as a struting our a more "solfter"red? i've got the head painted a "solfter" color now but can add to it if needed.i would think it be what the bird had been doing before it took to the air.
any ideals on this ?
Thx. Tim
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You need to get your reference materials and study them. I see many turkey strutting and thier heads are very white in color. THey change a good bit and quickly. I would go with a softer color.
Their head colors change in a matter of a few seconds, but not instantly.
If a strutting turkey were ambushed and had to flush suddenly it's head would still be in strutting color when it firs launched. By the time it landed, however, it could be completely different.
Anything is possible, but the first thing to fade seems to be the most intense red. The blue tones last longer.
My turkeys sometimes get into temporary "blue" moods, where they have no red showing at all, and all of the normally red parts become ivory white. The blue remains as shading between the white bumps and on the face. It is actually quite pretty, but I dont think I would have enough nerve to paint one like that without reference photos to back it up.
I like to ask the customer whether they prefer the traditional bright red waddles, blue cheeks, and white cap OR a realistic look (my personal preference). Suprisingly most say "do what you think looks best". Most of the time, turkey's heads are predominantly gray and white, with subltle tones of blue and red. But as Nancy said, it changes pretty quick. As for looking at references, I probably have 300 to 500 good photos with only a couple of them in flight. Further, most of us that turkey hunt don't get to watch too many fly off. What little I've seen though, have mostly been gray and white.