Wild Turkey

Description:

Large brown and bronze bird about 36"-48" with blue and red bare head. Fan tail and long straight black beard in center of chest. Spurs on legs. Female is thinner and less striking than male, lacking breast beard.

Habitat:

Female and 5 juvenile turkey were spotted near South Tamarac Lake along north Cotton Lake road. They eat insects, seeds, fruit.

Notes:

Wild turkey are the largest game bird in Minnesota. They were eliminated from Minnesota by the turn of the century due to hunting and loss of habitat, they were reintroduced in the 1960-70's.