The Glorious Wild Turkey!

Let’s learn about the Wild Turkey, one of only two species of turkey worldwide. This class will be a fun exploration of a fascinating, smarter-than-you-might-think bird. We’ll learn the meaning of caruncle, snood, dewlap, and poult and listen to the sounds of turkeys purring, whistling, yelping, clucking, rattling, and of course, gobbling! Oh my.

In the early 1900s, Wild Turkeys were on the brink of extinction. We will briefly discuss the successful restoration of the species and its domestication.

Most of the class will focus on Wild Turkey behavior. Our very own North American endemic is socially complex, with non-breeding flocks of more than 50 birds. Learn about their impressive courtship displays of struts and gobbles, how males and females form hierarchies, and the process of imprinting.

Let’s celebrate the Wild Turkey together!