April 4, 2021 - Wild Turkeys

While driving around near our apartment in the Twin Cities area, I came across this group of Wild Turkeys. The six females, on the right, were busy feeding and the three males, on the left, were trying to impress the females. Males are called toms and females are called hens.

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This is a male Turkey. Because this is now breeding season, the red and blue skin colors on his head and neck are more intense. He has a white forehead and there is a flap of skin sticking up above his beak. This is called a snood. It usually lies flat on his beak but can be raised like this when he is excited. Also notice the tuft of hair-like filaments hanging from the middle of his breast. This is called a beard. Females do not usually have a beard, but there are exceptions.

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Compare the previous picture with this one of a male in full display mode. He raises his body feathers, making him look twice as large. He also fans his tail feathers and becomes a very imposing figure. He then struts around, trying to impress the females and intimidate the other males.

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These two males were in direct competition with each other. They were strutting around trying to claim the title of King Tom.

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Here they are going chest to chest. They even did some actual fighting, leaping up in the air and trying to beat the other one with their wings. As far as I could tell, the battle turned out to be a draw.

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