Wild Turkeys

A small flock of Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) was spotted in a field along Summer Valley Road, about a mile from the Acopian Center. The group is about 10 members strong, made up of mostly females with one large male seen performing his seasonal courtship display. Males are easily distinguishable from females; they are overall larger with iridescent feathers, bald heads, and a long “beard” of modified feathers that hang from their chest, growing longer as they age. Courtship displays involve males puffing up their body feathers, fanning their tails, dragging their wings, and making their iconic gobble call. This strut occurs in early spring and the breeding season lasts from March to June. 

Photo by Bracken Brown.