The Wild Turkey

Fernando Recalde 

           Wild Turkey, Meleagris gallopavo, or "large gallinaceous bird with fan-shaped tail," can weigh anywhere from 5.5 to 24 pounds. It has a length of 2.5 to 4.1 feet with a lifespan of 3 to 5 years in the wild. Wild Turkey is sexually dimorphic, with males being more colorful, and females being more camouflaged better with dull colors. They're located in a total of 49 states across the United States and Hawaii, this number including the other 6 subspecies of Wild Turkey. The Eastern, Merriam, Rio Grande, Florida, Gloud, and Ocellated are all counted as Wild Turkey. They all have different plumage and unique habitats but are part of the same species. Wild Turkey chooses to live a nomadic life, they wander around and don't migrate. Wild Turkey is opportunistic, they usually get around by walking and not by flying or running. Male Wild Turkey, Gobblers, attract female Wild Turkey, Hens, by displaying their tail and humming at females. The Diet of a Wild Turkey includes Nuts, Snails, acorns, fruit, berries, grain, plant parts, insects, and more. Wild Turkey chooses to nest at the ground in dead leaves near trees but may choose to nest in open hay fields. Wild Turkey has a population of around 6 million, with a 7 out of 20 on the concern scale and are not on a bird watch list.