Wild Turkeys

We’re more familiar with the turkeys that have been placed stuffed and roasted on a festive Thanksgiving Day table. That Domestic Turkey is cousin to the Wild Turkey, which is found throughout the U.S. Just a few decades ago, populations of Wild Turkeys were very low, having been over hunted and their habitat diminished, but after a concerted re-introduction effort, turkeys have become a more familiar sight.

While they’re not what we would think of as bird feeder birds, with great regularity, a flock of them visits our yard, where they forage for errant sunflower seeds under the Jagunda. Some days they’re surprised by a few handfuls of cracked corn in addition to the seed that has fallen from the feeder. However, in some states feeding Wild Turkeys is restricted or prohibited since it is not viewed as the best long term approach to sustaining their numbers.

Their coloration is exquisite, with fine markings in varied shades of brown that allow them to blend in with the fallen leaves and other fall colors. And their behavior is fascinating to observe, with the older hens obviously in charge. Our flock is always made up of hens, and I’ve read that aside from mating, the Toms keep to themselves in a flock with other Toms. But a male in full show, spreading his tail feathers out in a spectacular display of beauty and might, is quite a sight.

As we reflect on our blessings this Thanksgiving Day, let’s remember our wild birds and the way they pull us back to the natural world and away from our everyday worries.