Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
Least Concern
The Wild Turkey is a large, impressive bird native to North America. Males (toms) have colorful, iridescent feathers and a fleshy red wattle hanging from their chin. They make the famous 'gobble gobble' sound!
Benjamin Franklin thought the turkey should be America's national bird instead of the Bald Eagle! Wild turkeys can fly short distances and often roost in trees at night.
Size
About as tall as a 3-year-old child
Large (40-60 cm)
Wingspan: 150 cm
Weight: 8000 g
Colors
brown
black
red
blue
Habitat
forest
Diet
seedsnutsinsectsberries
Fun Facts
- ✨Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be America's national bird!
- ✨Turkeys can run up to 25 mph and fly at 55 mph!
- ✨Each turkey has a unique voice that others can recognize.
- ✨A group of turkeys is called a 'rafter'.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Great news! This bird is doing well. There are lots of them in the wild, and they have safe places to live and find food.
Population trend: increasing 📈