Wild Turkey

Fun Facts for Kids

• Male turkeys have a long, dark, fan-shaped tail and glossy bronze wings. The males are substantially larger than the females, and their feathers have areas of red, purple, green, copper, bronze, and gold iridescence. In contrast to the majority of other birds, they are colonized by bacteria of unknown function. Females have feathers that are duller overall, in shades of brown and gray. Parasites can dull coloration of both sexes; in males, coloration may serve as a signal of health. Wild turkeys have 5000 to 6000 feathers.
• When male Wild turkeys are excited, a fleshy flap on their bill expands, and this, the wattles and the bare skin of the head and neck all become engorged with blood, almost concealing their eyes and bill. The long fleshy object over a males' beak is called a snood.
• Despite their weight, Wild turkeys are agile, fast fliers. In the ideal habitat of open woodland or wooded grasslands, they may fly beneath the canopy top and find perches. They usually fly close to the ground for no more than 400 m (a quarter mile).
• Because Wild turkeys don't migrate, in snowier parts of their habitat like the Northeast, Rockies, much of Canada, and the Midwest, it is very important for these birds to learn to select large conifer trees where they can fly onto the branches and shelter from blizzards.
• When approached by potential predators, WIld turkeys and their chicks usually run away rather than fly away from potential predators, though they may also fly short distances if pressed.
• Occasionally, if cornered, adult WIld turkeys may try to fight off predators and large males can be especially aggressive in self-defense. When fighting off predators, turkeys may kick with their legs, using the spurs on their back of the legs as a weapon, bite with their beak and ram with their relatively large bodies, and may be able to deter predators up to the size of mid-sized mammals.
• Sometimes Wild turkeys may behave aggressively towards humans, especially in areas where natural habitats are scarce. Males occasionally may attack even parked cars and reflective surfaces thinking they see another turkey and must defend their territory. Usually, a car engine and moving the car is enough to scare it off.
• The Wild turkey, throughout its range, plays a significant role in the cultures of many Native American tribes all over North America. Outside of the Thanksgiving feast, it is a favorite meal in eastern tribes. The feathers of turkeys were also often used in the rituals and headgear of many tribes. Many leaders, such as Catawba chiefs, traditionally wore turkey feather headdresses.
• The Navajo people of Northeastern Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah call the WIld turkey Tązhii and relate the bird to the corn and seeds which The Turkey in Navajo folklore brought from the Third Navajo World. It is one of the Navajos' sacred birds, with the Navajo people using the feathers and parts in multiple traditional ceremonies.