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Project Noah Nature School
Meleagris gallopavo
The head has fleshy growths called caruncles. When males are excited, a fleshy flap on the bill expands, and this, the wattles and the bare skin of the head and neck all become engorged with blood, almost concealing the eyes and bill. The long fleshy object over a male's beak is called a snood.
The Wild Turkey is native to North America
Took this photo at a farm in Canada
Wild turkeys may be white, but it is generally mixed in with some darker mottling. Not always, though!
As to the differences... domestic turkeys generally can not fly. Their wattles are heavier, and the snoods are longer. They are a lot less intelligent, and have a differrent "gobble", and are more vocal. The bodies of wild turkeys are leaner and smaller. Most domestic turkeys have been bred to grow to massive sizes, and will develop congenital heart failure if they are kept around for too long.
This turkey has a very domestic look to him. It was also mentioned that this Turkey picture was taken on a farm.
wild turkeys are not white, you can see the white feathers on the body of this turkey
Spotted on Nov 29, 2011
Submitted on Nov 29, 2011
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