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Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) are some of the goofiest birds I’ve ever seen. They’re also one of my absolute favorites. Just look at these goobers! All of their colors, patterns, shapes, and behaviors are a sensory overload! Let’s learn some facts about turkeys 
(1/n)
(1/n)
Turkeys are the largest member of the order Galliformes, weighing in at around 20 lbs in the wild and a record 86 lbs (!!) for a domestic Turkey (though I can’t find a reputable source for this) (2/n)
Turkeys are native to North America, though they likely got their name from either being introduced as domestic birds to Britain from Turkey, (3/n)
or from a different species of fowl that was introduced to Britain by Turkish merchants. Either way, we have the British to thank for their name (4/n) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_turkey
There are 5 subspecies distributed across North America, with many introduced to different parts of the western US (and even Hawaii!) primarily for hunting (5/n) https://www.nwtf.org/hunt/wild-turkey-basics/habitat
Here’s a cool summary sheet comparing all 5 subspecies (plus the Ocellated Turkey, which is a different species entirely) (6/n) https://coloradooutdoorsmag.com/2015/05/14/5-tips-for-hunting-merriams-turkeys/
The Eastern Wild Turkey is the second largest and most widely distributed subspecies. They are characterized by their brown tipped tail feathers and overal regalness 
(7/n)
: Tes Jolly, NWTF
(7/n): Tes Jolly, NWTF
Then there’s the Rio Grandes, which were also introduced to California and Oregon and featured in my pictures above. They are the second most abundant subspecies, and have more of a buffy white tail tip (8/n)
: me
: me
Next up, the Merriam’s, which are a mountainous and higher elevation subspecies, but also occur in the western plains. These birds are dark with stunning contrasting white tail feather tips (9/n)
: Justin Hagg, Nebraska Game and Parks
: Justin Hagg, Nebraska Game and Parks
Then we have the Osceola (Florida) subspecies, which occur only in, you guessed it, Florida. Characterized by their long legs and dark brown tail tips. One article I found called them Swamp Gobblers (lol), but they’re actual name is from the Seminole Chief, Osceola (10/n)
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Ok I know I should use images with attributable photographers, but I love the image above. Plus this image of turkeys walking through a Florida swamp forest is a MOOD. Both images can be found here: https://www.rockinboutfitters.com/ (11/n)
Last but not least, the Gould’s subspecies from Mexico and the US southwest. These golden birds are actually the largest subspecies - even bigger than Easterns! They are similar to Merriam’s with white tail tips. And they have the longest legs of all the subspecies... (12/n)
The name “Chiricahua” means “range of the wild Turkey” in Opata (I just learned this). These birds have been in decline in the past, but have benefited from reintroductions and management practices. https://www.nps.gov/chir/goulds-turkey.htm (13/n)
: http://www.nwtfhuagoulds.org/2016-turkey-capture-8-10-april.html
: http://www.nwtfhuagoulds.org/2016-turkey-capture-8-10-april.html
Special guest: the Ocellated Turkey (Meleagris ocellata) is a different species, but is highly prized as a game bird by Turkey hunters. They occur in Mexico and Central America and look like a cross between a Wild Turkey and a Peafowl 
(14/n)
: Ray Wilson, Alamy
(14/n): Ray Wilson, Alamy
I would be remiss if I left out the hens! While male turkeys, called Toms for adults and Jakes for juveniles, are often the star of the show, hens are just a beautiful in my opinion and fiercely protective of their young (15/n)
: me
: me
Turkey behavior is super interesting too! Males strut in kin flocks called “exploded leks” (a fancy term for a small group of displaying males). If you’ve ever seen a hen Turkey walk in front of a flock of males, it looks a lot like this (16/n)
And turkeys provide some of the best support for cooperative courtship and kin selection! See @alan_krakauer excellent nature article: https://www.nature.com/articles/nature03325 (17/n)
Let’s (briefly) talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the big white bird in the room: the domestic Turkey. There’s a whole lot of history here, but the tldr version is they were domesticated twice over 2,000 years ago by the Anasazi and the Aztecs (18/n)
You can read more about the fascinating tale of Turkey domestication by @smith_jam here: https://blog.nature.org/science/2017/11/20/tracing-the-wild-origins-of-the-domestic-turkey/ (19/n)
Domesticated turkeys have been selectively bred for their white meat and large size. They’ve become so large over time that they can no longer fly or mate without assistance. In fact, all domestic Turkeys raised today are produced via artificial insemination 
(20/n)
(20/n)
Ok this has gone on far too long, but let’s quickly talk about snoods and beards and spurs (21/n)
In a feat of sexual selection, male turkeys have long dangly fleshy appendages above their beaks called a snood. The snood swells up and turns bright red near the ladies, and the longer and redder, the better (22/n)
: @RosemaryMosco
: @RosemaryMosco
Males also have long beards (that actually grow from their chests) and long spurs on their legs. Longer beards and spurs often correlate to older males. And them boots aren’t just for walking. They’re also for fighting (23/n)
Ok I’m tired, you’re tired, turkeys are amazing and fascinating birds, and we could do this all day. But I have to work! So check out the only turkey researcher I know on Twitter @MattGonnerman for more turkey facts and research! (24/n)
Oh alsooooo no, Ben Franklin did NOT want the Wild Turkey to be our national bird, but he did think they were better than Bald Eagles 
(25/25) https://www.fi.edu/benjamin-franklin/franklin-national-bird
(25/25) https://www.fi.edu/benjamin-franklin/franklin-national-bird
