The Wild Turkey

Benjamin Franklin would have preferred to have the Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), not the Bald Eagle, as the national symbol of the United States. Although today's barnyard variety is a rather stupid creature (leading to the insulting tone of the term "turkey"), the original wild form is a wary and magnificent bird.

Wild Turkeys usually get around by walking or running, but they can fly strongly, and they typically roost overnight in tall trees. The bird is found in the Eastern and southwestern United States to Mexico. It can be found in woods, mountain forests,and wooded swamps of this area. They are often found near some kind of oak as acorns are a favorite food. The wild turkey is omnivorous. Its diet varies with season but is mostly plant material, including many acorns, leaves, seeds, grains, berries, buds, grass blades, roots, and bulbs. It also eats insects, spiders, snails, and sometimes frogs, lizards, snakes, salamanders, and crabs.

Their numbers were seriously depleted by beginning of 20th century. Since then, re-introduction programs have been successful and the Wild Turkey has been restored to much of its former range. Apparently the wild turkey is still increasing in many regions.

Turkey Factoids..>

Source: The Daily Miscellany