Turkey Facts and Fun

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Turkey Facts and Fun
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Franklin tried to argue on the Turkeys behalf but
to no avail... Congress told Franklin to "go fly
a kite!" Which he did.
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"I am on this account not displeased that the
Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks
more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is
in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and
withal a true original Native of America . . . He
is besides, though a little vain silly, a Bird
of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a
Grenadier of the British Guards who should
presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat
on."
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The debate turned to a vote, an Eagle had won by
a narrow margin, but Turkey demanded a recount!
Then Turkey won, so Eagle wanted a recount.
Finally they decided they would count all the
feathers on their heads. (thats why eagle and
turkey are both bald now!). Eagle won! But, now
with both of them bald Congress couldn't tell
them apart! They both looked like Bald Eagles.
Turkey was slightly larger but they both seemed
pretty much the same to everyone voting.
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Wild turkeys are covered with dark feathers that
help them blend in with their woodland homes. 
The bare skin on the throat and head of a turkey
can change color from flat gray to striking
shades of red, white, and blue when the bird
becomes distressed or excited.
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Tom Turkey's Tale of a Tail Peacocks aren't the
only birds who use their fancy tails to attract a
mate.  Each spring male turkeys try to befriend
as many females as possible.  Male turkeys, also
called "Tom Turkeys" or "Gobblers" puff up their
bodies and spread their tail feathers (just like
a peacock).   They grunt, make a "gobble gobble
sound" and strut about shaking their feathers. 
This fancy turkey trot helps the male attract
females (also called "hens") for mating.
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The wild turkey we usually see in photos or
pictures is not the same as the domestic turkey
that we serve at Thanksgiving. Domestic or tame
turkeys weigh twice what a wild turkey does and
are raised on farms for profit.  Most domestic
turkeys are so heavy they are unable to fly.
The heaviest turkey ever raised weighed in at 86
pounds -- about the size of a large German
Shepherd --
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• - Mature turkeys have 3,500 or so feathers. The
  Apache Indians considered the turkey timid and
  wouldn't eat it or use its feathers on their
  arrows.

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• Domesticated turkeys (farm raised) cannot fly.
  Wild turkeys can fly for short distances at up to
  55 miles per hour. Wild turkeys are also fast on
  the ground, running at speeds of up to 25 miles
  per hour.

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- North Carolina produces 61 million turkeys
annually, more than any other state. Minnesota
and Arkansas are number two and three. - The
fleshy growth from the base of the beak, which is
very long on male turkeys and hangs down over the
beak, is called the snood.
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• Ninety percent of American homes eat turkey on
  Thanksgiving Day. Fifty percent eat turkey on
  Christmas.
• Turkeys originated in North and Central America,
  and evidence indicates that they have been around
  for over 10 million years.

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Wattle - the flap of skin under the turkey's
chin. Turns bright red when the turkey is upset
or during courtship.
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Snood - the flap of skin that hangs over the
turkey's beak.  Turns bright red when the turkey
is upset or during courtship.
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Tom - a male turkey.  Also known as a gobbler.
Hen - a female turkey.
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Poult - a baby turkey.  A chick.
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Turkey Terms Caruncle - brightly colored growths
on the throat region.  Turns bright red when the
turkey is upset or during courtship. Gizzard - a
part of a bird's stomach that contains tiny
stones.  It helps them grind up food for
digestion. Hen - a female turkey. Poult - a
baby turkey.  A chick. Snood - the flap of skin
that hangs over the turkey's beak.  Turns bright
red when the turkey is upset or during courtship.
Tom - a male turkey.  Also known as a gobbler.
Wattle - the flap of skin under the turkey's
chin. Turns bright red when the turkey is upset
or during courtship. Scientific genus and
species  Meleagris gallopavo
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The End
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