Wild turkeys inhabit all of the lower 48, totaling about 7 million. That's 70% of pre-1500 levels, which marks an impressive turnaround from near extinction a century ago.
What else have we learned about the birds that are front and center this Thanksgiving week?
- The wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo, is the state game birdof Massachusetts. The black-capped chickadee, of course, is the state bird.
- Benjamin Franklin endorsed the wild turkey as a candidate for our national bird ... well, kind of. He did call turkeys "respectable" and "birds of courage," but he also threw in "a little vain and silly." Still better than the cowardly, lazy eagle, he argued.
- There's some conflicting information out there, but the U.S. Geological Survey says that the appropriate terms for a group of turkeys is a "gang" or "rafter." Conservation biologist Dr. Duane Diefenbach says he just uses "flock," though.
- You've heard the myth that turkeys are so dumb they'll drown in the rain? Total myth, and just one example of turkeys' undeserved reputation for a lack of intelligence. On the contrary, Diefenback says wild turkeys are wary birds with a healthy dose of street smarts.
- Wild turkeys have more dark meat than their domesticated cousins, due to all the exercise they get. A wild turkey typically ranges over several hundred acres, and can cover up to 2 miles per hour while feeding.
So, wild turkey, anyone?