I have a male turkey that stays under my window and near the bird feeder. In fact, some old timers would butcher a hog and give the turkeys the whole carcass. He is not afraid of me and listens when I talk to him. Wild turkeys, however, can fly for short bursts. Haven’t seen chicks in two years or a male in longer than that. They are large, brown birds. The lone turkey hen who comes into the yard now and then was, again by herself, across a newly mown field near the edge of the woods 80 yards off the road as I walked this morning. Wild turkey toms by Steve Maslowski- US Fish and Wildlife (public domain) Wild turkeys are the birds from which our domestic turkeys were bred. The wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is an upland ground bird native to North America and is the heaviest member of the diverse Galliformes. He took with him an 8-year old bourbon which boasted 101 proof. The breast of a wild turkey is entirely different, darker (and far tastier for those who are game). By Robert Roy Britt 26 November 2008. Would love to know her story. The dust that is worked into the bird’s feathers will absorb excess oil to help keep the feathers from becoming greasy or matted. 3. Only about half of all nesting attempts produce chicks. In fact, the turkey is native to North America … so, why do they share the same name? The wild turkey’s bald head can change color in seconds with excitement or emotion. The birds’ heads can be red (pink), white, or blue. While wild turkeys are capable of flight, domesticated turkeys cannot fly. They are kept in a coop their whole lives and are not used to the outdoors, Wild turkey train them selves. One old timer asked me, “Why do you think the heads of turkeys are bare like a buzzard?” Of course, this was in very large flocks. Understanding why and how birds preen can help birders better appreciate their beautiful avian friends. Wild Turkey says that the brand was named when the president of the current brand, Austin Nicholls, went turkey hunting with some friends. The wild turkey is the only type of poultry native to North America and is the ancestor of the domesticated turkey. It is the same species as the domestic turkey, which was originally derived from a southern Mexican subspecies of wild turkey (not the related ocellated turkey). 4. DEAR MARIA: While turkey hens are excellent mothers, they also are, like most wild animals, pragmatic. The republic of Turkey (look north of Egypt, east of Greece) isn’t exactly a breeding ground for the bird that Americans associate with Thanksgiving. Maria, Bay Area. Although wild and domesticated turkeys are related, there are some differences between the two. Turkeys get spooked by loud noises, and when they do, they often crowd together along a fence. He has been hanging around for a month. Let’s get the word facts I do give him corn sometimes. 5 Surprising Turkey Facts. Second only to feeding, preening is a common bird behavior easily observed in a yard, out in the field, or even among captive birds or pets. Wild turkey are not dumb at all. Is there something wrong with him or maybe an outcast. Why Birds Take Dust Baths Dust baths, also called dusting, dirt baths, or sand bathing, are part of a bird’s preening and plumage maintenance that keeps feathers in top condition. The birds’ heads can be red (pink), white, or blue. The wild turkey was … Shares. He roosts at night in my tree. However, the Wild Turkey brand itself wasn’t established un 1942. While it may be unpleasant to give your turkey flock a … Birds have up to 25,000 feathers, and regular preening keeps each one of those feathers in top condition. Farm turkeys are the dumb turkey.