^these in my yard
The Wild Turkey might be the most recognizable bird in North America. Of course, a big reason for that is due to its strong association with Thanksgiving, when the birds likeness is omnipresent. But the turkey's large size, impressive plumage, and distinct look make this bird hard to mistake no matter the time of year. Despite so many Americans being familiar with the Wild Turkey, however, folks might be surprised to discover that they know very little about them—and what they think they do know might not be true. Read on for a cornucopia of fun facts about everyone's favorite gobbler.
1.) Turkeys are believed to be named after the country. Linguists theorize that early Europeans were reminded of their African Guinea Fowl back home, which was native to Turkey, and the similarity led to its name.
2.) There are only two species of Wild Turkey: Ours here in North America and the Ocellated Turkey in Central America. The North American Wild Turkey has five distinct subspecies and also comes in a variety of color morphs.
3.) Male turkeys can weigh up to 25 pounds, while the average female is around half that weight. Despite this heft and their reputation for being ground dwellers, Wild Turkeys often roost overnight in trees to avoid predators.
4.) While they might not look like the fastest birds, Wild Turkeys are surprisingly confident fliers, capable of hitting 60 miles per hour. They are also more agile than they appear.
5.) Turkeys have excellent eyesight, seeing three times more clearly than 20/20 vision. They can also see in color and have a 270-degree field of vision. This—along with their generally wary nature—gives them an edge on both predators and hunters.
6.) Did you know you can discern a turkey’s sex from its droppings? It's true. Male scat is shaped like the letter J, while a female’s droppings are more spiral-shaped. And the bigger the poop, the older the bird.
7.) Wild Turkey populations plummeted in the 19th century due to over hunting and a loss of habitat, with the species disappearing entirely from New England. Fortunately, Wild Turkey conservation efforts throughout the 20th century led to a sharp rebound throughout their historic range, and now the birds have taken over the Northeast and even some Midwest towns.
9.) To debunk a popular turkey tale, Benjamin Franklin did not advocate for the turkey as the National Bird. He also didn't besmirch the Bald Eagle, either. In fact, the letter to his daughter that is often cited as the source of both these "facts" was actually satire.
10.) The first official presidential turkey pardon was given by George H.W. Bush in 1989, but reports credit many presidents with the tradition, including Abraham Lincoln, whose son took a liking to the turkey destined for Christmas dinner, and Harry Truman, who was the first to appear in a photo op with a turkey that would later be served.
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup Italian-flavored bread crumbs
- 1 (1-ounce) package dry ranch dressing mix
- 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper, optional
- 1 egg
- Cooking spray
- Preheat oven to 425º.
- In a large bowl, combine chicken and buttermilk; mix well.
- In a resealable plastic storage bag, combine bread crumbs, dressing mix, and ground red pepper, if desired; seal bag and shake to mix well.
- In a shallow dish, beat egg well. Drain chicken and add to egg, turning to coat. Place chicken in storage bag; seal bag and shake to coat chicken.
- Place breaded chicken on a rimmed baking sheet and coat lightly with cooking spray. Bake 15 minutes, or until no pink remains and juices run clear.
1921 – Rodney Dangerfield, American comedian (d. 2004)
1924 – Geraldine Page, American actress (d. 1987)
1932 – Robert Vaughn, American actor (d.2016)
1943 – Billie Jean King, American tennis player
1958 – Jamie Lee Curtis, American actress
1961 – Mariel Hemingway, American actress
- Use it as a marinade for pork, chicken or beef
- Add it to barbecue sauce and pour it over meatballs
- Mix it into a batch of muffins for breakfast
- Stir it into cream cheese and add it to your morning bagel
