Turkeys
Turkeys are a type of bird.
They live about 3 to 4 years. Most turkeys weigh from 5.5 pounds to 18.8 pounds. A carnucle is the brightly colored growths on the throat region. It turns bright red when the turkey is upset or during courtship. A gizzard is the part of a bird's stomach that contains tiny stones. It helps them grind up food for digestion. A female turkey is called a hen. A baby turkey is called a poult. Wild Turkeys feed on nuts, seeds, fruits, insects, and salamanders.
Only male turkeys display the ruffled feathers, fanlike tail, bare head, and bright beard commonly associated with these birds. Turkeys gobble with a distinctive sound that can be heard a mile away. |
A group of turkeys is called a flock.
Americans eat turkey for Thanksgiving. Most domestic turkeys are so heavy they are unable to fly. Wild turkeys live in the woods of North America. Benjamin Franklin wanted to make the wild turkey, not the Bald Eagle, the national bird of the United States! Female turkeys lay 4 to 17 eggs, and feed their chicks after they hatch. They only feed them for a few days.
Young turkeys quickly learn to fend for themselves as part of mother/child flocks that can include dozens of animals. Males take no role in the care of young turkeys. A snood is the flap of skin that hangs over the turkey's beak. Turns bright red when the turkey is upset or during courtship. A male turkey is called a Tom. A Wattle is the flap of skin under the turkey's chin. Turns bright red when the turkey is upset or during courtship. |