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Turkeys

You've probably heard the story that Benjamin Franklin did not want the bald eagle to be our national symbol -- he wanted America's symbol to be the turkey! Is this story true? What is that red thing that hangs under a turkey's chin? (Do turkeys even have chins?) Do both male and female turkeys have that red thing? What color are turkey eggs? What part of a turkey is called the caruncle? What percentage of Americans really eat turkey on Thanksgiving Day? (Hint: It's not 100%)! What are the top 3 turkey-producing states? Can turkeys fly?

These are important questions that thoughtful Americans ponder each November. Sample these internet sites and answer the questions for each one to learn more about Ben Franklin's favorite bird.

1. If you lived in Turkey and were so inclined to make the noise of a turkey, what would you say? (Hint: It's not "gobble gobble"!)
2. What would you say if you lived in Albania or Portugal?

Male turkeys are larger than female turkeys, and the color of their feathers is brighter. Turkeys have strong legs. Their feet are big, and they have broad, thick nails for scratching and digging in the ground in search of seeds and nuts.

1. According to this site, the first Thanksgiving meal probably did, indeed, include turkey. What else did it probably include?

1. Take this 10 question Thanksgiving quiz about the first Thanksgiving. According to this quiz, one of the items on the menu for the first Thanksgiving was probably LOBSTER!

In the wild, turkeys live in what are called edge lands. These are areas where fields meet woods or open plains meet brushy areas. Near these edge areas, turkeys can find nuts, seeds, grains, berries, and insects.

1. Wild turkeys are native to which parts of North America?
2. What is a male turkey called? What is a female turkey called?
3. Describe what a male turkey looks like.
4. What part of North America first domesticated the turkey?

1. What do wild turkeys eat?

Wild female turkeys lay from 8 to 18 eggs at a time. They usually make a shallow nest at the base of a tree or large rock. The eggs are tan with brown specks to blend in with the leaves and rocks on the ground. The female sits on the eggs for about a month. Baby turkeys are called poults.

1. There are many kinds of wild turkeys. Which one of these breeds is almost extinct?

Wild turkeys can actually fly. Their wings are made for short bursts of flight--not for flying long distances. But they do travel from feeding site to feeding site by flying! They can fly up to 50 miles per hour which is very fast for such large birds.

1. Nose around this site and find out if they have some kind of turkey-related ice cream flavor. (Giblet Swirl? Wattles 'N Cream? Wishbone Delight?) If not, list 2 of their flavors that sound good to you.

Wild turkeys sleep in trees. They do not migrate. They stay in the same general area all year long.

1. Print this turkey. Then design the best pair of running shoes that a worried turkey ever saw. Draw and decorate the shoes. Cut them out and paste them on the turkey.