Turkey Facts for Kids
- There are two different species of turkeys the wild turkey and the ocellated turkey.
- There are five sub-species of wild turkeys: Eastern Wild Turkey, Osceola (Florida) Wild Turkey, Rio Grande Wild Turkey, Merriam’s Wild Turkey and Gould’s Wild Turkey.
- Wild Turkeys live across North America.
- Wild Turkeys spend their days looking for and eating food such as acrons, seeds, small insects, berries and fruits.
- Ocellated Turkeys live in South Eastern Mexico, Northern Belize and Northern Guatemala.
- It is easy to tell the difference between Wild Turkeys and Ocellated Turkeys.
- Ocellated Turkeys have a mixture of bronze, green and blue feathers, similar to a peacock.
- Wild Turkeys have mostly brown feathers.
- Ocellated Turkeys also weigh less than Wild Turkeys.
- A male turkey is called a Tom or gobbler.
- A female turkey is called hen.
- A baby turkey is called a poult or sometimes a chick.
- A group of turkeys is called a flock.
- Male turkeys weigh between 8-24 pounds and are about 4ft long.
- Female turkeys weigh between 7-16 pounds and are about 3ft long.
- Hens can lay between 6-18 eggs. On average they lay 12 eggs.
- The eggs take about one month to hatch.
- Baby turkeys cannot fly for two weeks.
- Adult turkeys have around 3,500 feathers.
- Turkeys are omnivores meaning they eat both plants and animals.
- Turkeys eat nuts, seeds, fruits, berries, insects, small reptiles and amphibians.
- Only wild turkeys can fly. Domesticated turkeys (turkey’s living on farms) cannot fly because they are usually too heavy.
- Only male turkeys can gobble.
- Turkeys can run up to 25 miles per hour.
- The wattle is the flap of skin that hangs from a turkey’s chin.
- The wattle turns bright red when a turkey anxious or worried and when he is attracting a mate.
- Wild Turkeys live in open forests.
- Wild Turkeys sleep in trees.
- Predators to a turkey are snakes, raccoons, wildcats and humans.
- Turkey is a popular dish served on holidays including Christmas and Thanksgiving.
- Over 90% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving.
- The average weight of a turkey purchased at Thanksgiving is 15 pounds.
- Turkey has more protein than beef or chicken.
- There is no way to prove that turkey was eaten at the first Thanksgiving.
- Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be America’s national bird. However, he was out voted and the eagle became the national bird.
Parts of a Turkey
- Wattle- The flap of the skin under the turkey chin. It is reddish in color.
- Spur- A spike above each foot.
- Carnuncle – Reddish growth on a turkey head and upper neck
- Tail Fan – Long feathers behind the turkey
- Beards- A bundle of long feathers on turkeys chest
- Bill – Hard, sharp beak