Lately, a female wild turkey has been visiting the yard during feeding time for the ducks and geese.

At first she was skittish and actually flew up to a high branch to get away from Bailey.

But recently she’s become relaxed. I guess food supersedes four-year-old chocolate labs.

Here are some cool facts about wild turkeys:

• Feathers: An adult wild turkey has approximately between 6,000 feathers. Wow! When I took Ornithology in college we had to count the feathers of a Blue Jay. I’m glad we didn’t do a turkey.
  
• The Snood and Waddle: The flap of skin under a turkey’s chin is the waddle, while the fleshy piece hanging over its beak is the snood. I get what a waddle since that’s what I do everyday.

• Gobbles: Only male turkeys gobble. This distinct call can be heard up to a mile away to attract mates and signal rivals.
• Poop Clues: You can tell a turkey’s sex from its droppings. Male scat forms a “J” shape, while female droppings look like a spiral blob. (Ummm, nope. I’m just going to assume my turkey is a female.)
• Super Vision: Turkeys see in color and have a 270-degree field of vision. Their eyesight is estimated to be three times better than 20/20 human vision.
• Diet: As omnivores, they primarily eat nuts (like acorns), seeds, berries, and insects, and cracked corn.

• Lifespan: Their average lifespan in the wild is about three to five years. Three to five years! I’ll have to buy more cracked corn.

Another really cool fact is that wild turkeys sleep in trees at night, to stay clear of predators. This behavior is called roosting.

This reminds me of the WKRP Turkey Drop episode.

May all your turkeys fly.

Blessed be :}

Mi manchi, mia amata immortale.