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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. The photo above is that of a gobbler.
Turkeys range across the US and Mexico in habitat ranging from well-watered deciduous forest, to arid open parklands and wooded river bottoms.
4 Comments
Typically wild turkeys flee the presence of people. They have very good eyesight and excellent hearing. These turkeys, however, live in the midst of 2.8 million people in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area of Minnesota and in a state park where they are protected. I wouldn't say they follow people around, but they are not particularly afraid of people and are not difficult to approach.
Are they known to follow people?\
Thanks Maria....
Great portrait!