![\"courtesy](\"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2013\/11\/USEFORLANDINGPAGEWild_turkey_USFishandWildlife1.jpg\")
As Thanksgiving fast approaches, the thoughts of many Americans turn to the humble turkey. Our modern domesticated turkeys (the ones we generally eat) have something of a reputation for being foolish and clumsy birds. Their wild cousins, however, roam the woods and towns of Massachusetts even today, and these birds are fast, wary, and remarkably complex.<\/p>\n
Matt Kamm, from Mass Audubon’s Bird Conservation program, gives the scoop on wild turkey terminology.<\/p>\n
Gobble<\/b>: When looking to attract females, males display by strutting, puffing out their feathers, and, of course, gobbling. Young turkeys of both sexes gobble, but as they mature, males become the more frequent gobblers.<\/p>\n
The gobble itself is\u00a0purely a vocal sound, just like crowing in roosters. Turkeys gobble in two peaks each year: early spring when flocks go their separate ways and males stake out territory, and late spring when the hens that bred earlier are nesting while the unbred hens are looking for mates.<\/p>\n
Snood & Beard<\/b>: Males develop a fleshy, retractable feature called a snood, which overhangs the bill, and a bundle of dark feathers that hang down below the neck called a beard. Female turkeys also show these features, but they are less well-developed.<\/p>\n
Poults<\/b>: After a female has mated, she digs a scrape in the dirt or leaves and lays about a dozen eggs, which she must incubate for 26-27 days before they finally hatch! Once the poults (turkey chicks) do hatch, they are able to run around and forage for themselves after 24 hours, although the mother still feeds them for some time.<\/p>\n
Jakes<\/b>: Young male turkeys are known as jakes. They strike out from their families during autumn of the year that they\u2019re hatched, while young females will often stay with their mothers until the following spring.<\/p>\n
Plumage<\/b>: Turkeys in the wild are well-equipped for avoiding predators. Their dark, mottled feathers (known as plumage) allows them to hide effectively in dense undergrowth, and even when discovered they are fast runners.<\/p>\n
Roost<\/b>: While turkeys cannot fly for long periods, they have been clocked at over 50 mph in flight and are more than capable of escaping into the highest branches of the forest canopy, where groups of turkeys will gather in a roost for the night to stay out of the reach of ground predators.<\/p>\n
Repatriation<\/b>: Wild turkeys may be common today, but around 1850, no wild turkeys could be found anywhere in Massachusetts. In addition to hunting pressure, the loss of wooded areas to farmland also drove the turkeys out. The turkeys that we see today are the result of a successful repatriation program, in which turkeys from other areas (such as Pennsylvania) were released in Massachusetts to establish themselves once again.<\/p>\n
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at Mass Audubon! Gobble Gobble…<\/p>\n
Photo via US Fish & Wildlife Service<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As Thanksgiving fast approaches, the thoughts of many Americans turn to the humble turkey. Our modern domesticated turkeys (the ones we generally eat) have something of a reputation for being foolish and clumsy birds. Their wild cousins, however, roam the woods and towns of Massachusetts even today, and these birds are fast, wary, and remarkably […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2972","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nature-notes"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-LW","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":8403,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/gobble-gobble-save-the-date\/","url_meta":{"origin":2972,"position":0},"title":"Gobble Gobble…Save the Date","author":"Hillary T.","date":"November 22, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"At this time of year, it's typical to have turkey on our minds. But did you know that wild turkeys\u2014now a common fixture in our woods, suburbs, and even cities\u2014were once almost extinct in Massachusetts? Keep reading... When Europeans first settled in this area, wild turkeys were plentiful. With an\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Involved"","block_context":{"text":"Get Involved","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-involved\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/11\/Wild_turkey_USFishandWildlife.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/11\/Wild_turkey_USFishandWildlife.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/11\/Wild_turkey_USFishandWildlife.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13341,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-strut-your-stuff\/","url_meta":{"origin":2972,"position":1},"title":"Take 5: Strut Your Stuff","author":"Ryan D.","date":"November 25, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"As you may be dining on plenty of turkey this week, we thought we'd turn our attention away from the domesticated variety that graces many a Thanksgiving table, and instead \"show off\" that iconic show-off, the Wild Turkey. Wild Turkey can stand four feet tall, with a large, bulky body\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Wild Turkey \u00a9 Brad Dinerman","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/11\/2085BradDinerman7248.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/11\/2085BradDinerman7248.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/11\/2085BradDinerman7248.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/11\/2085BradDinerman7248.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10120,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-giving-thanks-for-turkeys\/","url_meta":{"origin":2972,"position":2},"title":"Take 5: Giving Thanks for Turkeys","author":"Ryan D.","date":"November 20, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"The return of wild turkeys to New England is a marvelous success story. When European settlers first arrived, these native birds were plentiful but rising populations and over-hunting led to their erradication\u2014the last wild turkey in Massachusetts was killed on Mount Tom in 1851. Thanks to the efforts of\u00a0the Division\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Wild tom (male) turkey \u00a9 Kathy King","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/11\/3510Kathy_King13086_fi.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/11\/3510Kathy_King13086_fi.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/11\/3510Kathy_King13086_fi.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4425,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/gobble-gobble\/","url_meta":{"origin":2972,"position":3},"title":"Gobble Gobble!","author":"Hillary T.","date":"November 20, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Some turkey facts to amuse your guests at the Thanksgiving table!","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/11\/infographic_turkey.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4383,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-terrific-turkeys\/","url_meta":{"origin":2972,"position":4},"title":"Take 5: Terrific Turkeys","author":"Rosemary","date":"November 24, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"With Thanksgiving approaching, it's time to give thanks for the wild turkey. Once completely wiped out of the state due to over-harvesting, this bird is now a regular fixture of forests and even suburban and urban areas. Our past Photo Contest participants have captured the many facets\u00a0of this fascinating species.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/11\/2230AndyTrushaw7781-2013.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/11\/2230AndyTrushaw7781-2013.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/11\/2230AndyTrushaw7781-2013.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6591,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-wondrous-wild-turkeys\/","url_meta":{"origin":2972,"position":5},"title":"Take 5: Wondrous Wild Turkeys","author":"Rosemary","date":"November 23, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Thanksgiving is just around the corner, so it's time to be thankful for turkeys. While most livestock originates from Europe, Africa, and Asia, turkeys are native to the Americas and were domesticated by ancient Mesoamericans. Therefore, our wild turkeys are close relatives. Enjoy\u00a0five portraits of wild turkeys from past Photo\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/11\/infographic_turkey.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2972","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2972"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2972\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2980,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2972\/revisions\/2980"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2972"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2972"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2972"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}