Celebrating Turkeys!

6/21/2020

Commonly slaughtered for their meat, especially during the holidays, turkeys are one of our world's many amazing creatures! They're highly intelligent and caring animals, that are also very interesting and impressive. When you take a closer look and really get to know them, you'll see just why these creatures should not be served for our consumption!

Many Vocalizations

Turkeys are well known for their gobbling sound which they make to communicate with one another, but did you know that this sound, which is made by males (males are called gobblers) can be heard from miles away! Other than this gobbling sound, turkeys can make 19 other distinct sounds with each one having its own meaning.

Each turkey has its own, unique voice, which is how all the members of the flock recognize each other!

Striking Plumage

On average, these animals have between 4,000 to 5,000 feathers that come in a rainbow of colors including red, purple, green, copper, bronze and gold. A trait that turkeys share with peacocks is that the males display their beautiful tails to attract a female. The females' feathers, on the other hand, are usually dull colors like browns and greys.

Affectionate And Intelligent

Turkeys are highly intelligent animals that are much smarter than many think. They are also affectionate and social animals that have lasting bonds with other turkeys in their flock! They have friends same as we do, and their affection can be compared to that of a dog.

Featherless Neck

Just by looking at a turkey you can plainly see that they have no feathers on their neck, but did you know that their necks change color depending on how the turkey feels? It's true! The featherless part of a turkey's neck turns blue when he or she is excited, and red when he or she is ready to fight! Their necks are a little like mood rings!

Fast Flyers

Although domestic turkeys cannot fly due to the fact that they've been bred too big for their wings to carry, but wild turkeys can fly at speeds of up to 55mph! However, they can not maintain that speed for a long time, having to land after traveling about a hundred yards, but when fleeing, they can fly hundreds of yards away to escape danger.

Exceptional Memory

Turkeys are highly intelligent animals, as I've stated above, and they can remember the exact details of an area of land measuring over 1,000 acres! Just imagine memorizing the location of every tree and every pond in an area that large! I can't even memorize what's in the pantry!

As you can see, turkeys are wonderful creatures, smart, kind, and beautiful. They certainly deserve better than being killed for us to eat, and they should be respected, not tortured! Please speak up for turkeys and help to save them! Thank you!