Turkey Facts and FunTurkey Facts and Fun

The Great American Turkey Debate!The Mostly true story of America's quest for a National The Mostly true story of America's quest for a National

Bird, by Joe Wos and Benjamin Franklin.Bird, by Joe Wos and Benjamin Franklin.

Franklin tried to argue on the Turkeys behalf but to no avail... Congress told Franklin to "go fly a kite!" Which he did.

"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."

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.

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.

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.

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 --

-- 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.

-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.

- 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.

-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.

Wattle - the flap of skin under the turkey's chin. Turns bright red when the turkey is upset or during courtship.

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.

Hen - a female turkey.

Poult - a baby turkey.  A chick.

Turkey TermsCaruncle - 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

The Endhttp://www.kidzone.ws/animals/turkey.htm