10 Fun Facts About the Wild Turkey
Super vision? Flowing beards? Spiral poo? Yeah, there's plenty to talk about when it comes to this American icon.
The Wild Turkey might be the most recognizable bird in North America. Of course, a big reason for that is due to its strong association with Thanksgiving, when the birds likeness is omnipresent. But the turkey's large size, impressiveÌýplumage, and distinct lookÌýmake this bird hard to mistake no matter the time of year. Despite so many Americans being familiar with the Wild Turkey, however, folks might be surprised to discover that they know very little about them—and what they think they do know might not be true.ÌýRead on for a cornucopia ofÌýfun facts about everyone's favorite gobbler.
1.)ÌýTurkeys are believed to be named after the country. that early Europeans were reminded of their African Guinea Fowl back home, which was native toÌýTurkey, and the similarity led to its name.Ìý
2.)ÌýThere are onlyÌýtwo species of Wild Turkey: Ours here in North America and the Ocellated Turkey in Central America. The North American Wild Turkey hasÌýfive distinct subspecies and also comes in a variety of color morphs.Ìý
3.)ÌýMale turkeys can up to 25 pounds, while the average female is around half that weight. Despite thisÌýheft and their reputation for beingÌýground dwellers, Wild Turkeys often roost overnight in treesÌýto avoid predators.Ìý
4.)ÌýÌýWhile they might not look like the fastest birds,ÌýWild Turkeys are surprisingly confident fliers, capable of hittingÌý60 miles per hour.ÌýThey are also more agile than they appear.Ìý
5.) TurkeysÌýhave excellent eyesight, seeing three times more clearly than 20/20 vision. TheyÌýcan also see in color and have a 270-degree field of vision.Ìý This—along with their generally wary nature—gives them an edge onÌýboth predators and hunters.Ìý
6.) Did you know you can discern aÌýturkey’s sexÌýfrom its droppings? Male scat is shaped like the letter J, while a female’s droppings are moreÌýspiral-shaped. And the bigger the poop, the older the bird.Ìý
7.) Wild Turkey populations plummeted in the 19th century due to overhunting and a loss of habitat, with the speciesÌýdisappearing entirely from New England. Fortunately, Wild Turkey conservation efforts throughout the 20th century led to a sharp rebound throughout their historic range, and now the birds haveÌýtakenÌýover the Northeast and even some MidwestÌýtowns.Ìý
8.)ÌýÌýAlong with their waddles and snoods—the piece of flesh that dangles from the beak—turkeys have another standoutÌýfeature: beards. TheÌýbundle of feathers sprouting from their chest is known as a turkey beard, and it gets longerÌýas theÌýbird ages. While all males have beards, some females also growÌýthem, though why is still a mystery to scientists.Ìý
9.)ÌýTo debunk a popular turkey tale, Benjamin Franklin did not advocate for the turkey as the National Bird. He also didn't besmirch the Bald Eagle, either. In fact, theÌý that is often cited as the source of both these "facts" was actually satire.Ìý
10.)ÌýThe firstÌýÌýwas given by George H.W. BushÌýin 1989, butÌýreports credit many presidents with the tradition,Ìý including Abraham Lincoln, whose son took a liking to the turkey destined for Christmas dinner, and Harry Truman, who was the first to appear in a photo op with a turkey that would later be served.
9.)ÌýTo debunk a popular turkey tale, Benjamin Franklin did not advocate for the turkey as the National Bird. He also didn't besmirch the Bald Eagle, either. In fact, theÌý that is often cited as the source of both these "facts" was actually satire.Ìý
10.)ÌýThe firstÌýÌýwas given by George H.W. BushÌýin 1989, butÌýreports credit many presidents with the tradition,Ìý including Abraham Lincoln, whose son took a liking to the turkey destined for Christmas dinner, and Harry Truman, who was the first to appear in a photo op with a turkey that would later be served.