A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Meleagris gallopavo
Adult male turkeys, called "gobblers," are very large birds often weighing over 25 lbs. in our area. The males have dark iridescent body feathers that may be russet, green, brown, and black depending upon the quality of the light; wings are lighter and striped. Males have bare skin on their heads that change color depending upon their state of mind. Males also have a beard of specialized bristly feathers that protrudes from their breast. Females are smaller, have darker, duller heads and bodies and typically no beard.
Turkeys range across the US and Mexico in habitat ranging from well-watered deciduous forest, to arid open parklands and wooded river bottoms.
These were two of three gobblers that walked through my backyard a few minutes ago.
Spotted on Jun 17, 2012
Submitted on Jun 17, 2012
3 Comments
Thanks for the comments. It's been interesting to watch the growth of our suburban turkey flock. They've become quite common in our area and many now consider the birds to be a nuisance. I wish they wouldn't poop on our ground level deck...grin...but they more than repay us with their presence.
Great picture! Very clear and close!
Nice picture!