3 Facts about Turkeys

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and in preparation for the holiday season I've decided to list a few facts I found interesting about turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo).

1.  While most of us are familiar with the "gobble" sound made by turkeys, these birds also make a host of other calls.  According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Website, male turkeys "gobble" to attract mates, females and males "purr" while on foot, and courting males produce a "chump" sound which is not well understood (2014).  If you're curious about how these actually sound as well as other bird calls I highly recommend you visit the Cornell Lab page here.

2.  Fun fact, Benjamin Franklin wanted turkeys to be our national symbol, not the bald eagle and lamented the choice. an Article in Slate Magazine, by Nicholas Lund (2014), cites a letter from Franklin stating, 

  "For in Truth the Turkey is in Comparison (sic. eagle) a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America. He is besides, tho’ a little vain and 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."

3.  Every year the President of the United States pardons a turkey....... This year the lucky bird who won't be for dinner is from Ohio.  Read about it here.

 

Image:  http://www.cashstore.com/blog/thanksgiving-costs-will-rise-in-2012/

Works Cited: 

Lund, N. (2014, November 25). Benjamin Franklin’s Bizarre Symbology. Did He Really Admire the Turkey? Retrieved November 26, 2014, from http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/holidays/2013/11/benjamin_franklin_turkey_symbol_why_he_hated_the_bald_eagle_for_the_great.2.html

 Wild Turkey. (n.d.). Retrieved November 26, 2014, from http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wild_Turkey/sounds