But after decades of restocking the population, there are now about seven million wild turkeys in North America.
The turkey is a variety of pheasant. Archaeological evidence suggests turkeys roamed North America as far back as 10 million years ago. Native Americans domesticated them about 2,000 years ago.
A male turkey is called a “tom” and a female turkey a “hen. ” A large group of turkeys is called a “flock. “.
Wild turkeys are found in hardwood forests with grassy areas. They spend the night in trees. They have excellent vision and hearing but dont see well at night. They have the ability to run at up to 40 km/h and fly short distances at up to 90 km/h.
Due to selective breeding, domesticated turkeys are unable to fly and are unlikely to run very far. The average turkey has been so fattened up at the factory farm that it has as much chance of flying as you do by the time it is ready for your table.
It takes 17 to 20 weeks to raise a turkey that weighs 10. 8 kilograms or more. That bird will have consumed around 30 kilograms of feed while it was alive.
Canada is one of the worlds biggest producers of turkeys. According to Statistics Canada, Canadian farmers produced 180,000 tonnes of turkey in 2008. Thats an increase of 6. 5 per cent from the previous year.
Canadian consumption of turkey has remained relatively stable over the past two decades — at around 2. 2 kilograms per person per year. However, production has increased substantially as Canadian turkey exports have grown by 30 per cent since 2001.
The top turkey-eating country in the world is Israel, at 11. 5 kg per person every year. Heres how other countries measure up, per person per year:
The turkey snood, a dangling fleshy protuberance on the forehead of turkeys, is a fascinating and intriguing feature. Its purpose and significance extend beyond mere aesthetics playing a role in both intersexual and intrasexual selection.
Function of the Snood:
- Intersexual Selection: Studies have shown that female turkeys prefer mates with longer snoods. This preference likely stems from the snood’s ability to signal the male’s health and fitness. Longer snoods may indicate greater resistance to parasites and diseases, making the male a more desirable mate.
- Intrasexual Selection: Male turkeys with longer snoods tend to be dominant over those with shorter snoods. This dominance hierarchy likely arises from the snood’s role in signaling aggression and fighting ability. Longer snoods may intimidate rivals and deter them from challenging the dominant male.
Additional Observations:
- While the snood’s length plays a role in mate selection and dominance hierarchies, fighting skills ultimately determine which males are most successful in reproducing.
- The snood’s dangling nature makes it vulnerable to injury during fights. However, its flexibility and ability to retract into the head provide some protection.
- Hen turkeys also have snoods, although they are smaller than those of males.
- The snood’s size and color can change depending on the turkey’s state of excitement or anger. When relaxed, the snood is pale and hangs loosely. During excitement or aggression, the snood engorges with blood, becoming redder and more elongated.
- The exact purpose and significance of the snood in wild turkeys remain an area of ongoing research.
Evolutionary Significance:
- The snood may be a remnant of the age of dinosaurs, as similar structures are found in some extinct dinosaur species.
- The snood’s role in mate selection and dominance hierarchies suggests that it has played a role in the evolution of turkey behavior and social structure.
Cultural Significance:
- The turkey snood has been the subject of much folklore and mythology. In some cultures, it is believed to have magical or medicinal properties.
- The snood has also been used as a symbol of virility and aggression in human societies.
The turkey snood is a unique and multifaceted feature that plays a significant role in the lives of these fascinating birds. Its function in mate selection, dominance hierarchies, and communication makes it an important aspect of turkey biology and behavior. Further research is needed to fully understand the evolutionary significance and cultural impact of this intriguing appendage.
What are those fleshy things on turkey heads?
Bronze, Broad Breasted Bronze, Broad Breasted Large White, Black, Bourbon Red, White Holland, Narragansett, and Beltsville Small White are examples of common domesticated breeds.
Why does turkey have white and dark meat?
For the same reason that chicken does, the thighs and legs have darker meat than the breast because the muscles from walking are more heavily used and have more fat in them. White meat has less oxygen-carrying myoglobin than dark meat. Whether you’re a person or a bird, your muscles require more oxygen to function at their highest levels.
Ask a Veterinarian: What is a Turkey Snood and Does it have a Purpose?
FAQ
Can a female turkey have a snood?
What is another name for a turkey’s snood?
What is the floppy thing on a turkey’s head?
Does a Turkey have a snood?
A snood is the floppy, fleshy appendage that drapes over a turkey’s beak. Toms, jakes, and hens all have snoods. However, a tom’s is longer and more prominent than that of a hen or jake. While it’s easy to dismiss the snood as a vestigial appendage on a turkey’s face, studying it can be a key indicator of a tom’s body language and current mood.
Do Turkey hens have long snoods?
Despite these inherent complications, turkey hens are purported to favor long snoods. A long snood is the turkey equivalent to a show of virility. Another striking feature of male turkeys are the lumpy caruncles that wrap around the base of their neck like a red scarf. These are called the major caruncles.
Why is a Turkey snood important?
It’s a goofy little thing that most hunters fail to consider any more than a facial feature of the turkey. But why does a snood do what a snood does? It’s the million dollar question when it comes to turkey anatomy, but Keith Beam, of NAP, helps shed some light on the turkey snood and why it’s important.
What does a Turkey snood look like?
The resting color of the snood varies by breed. They usually range from pinkish to red. When turkeys strut, particularly for long periods of time, the snood gets darker red. From a human perspective, the snood seems like an incredibly impractical device. It covers turkey nostrils often making it difficult for a turkey to breath deeply.