Turkeys

These are Bourbon Red turkeys which is a domestic breed created in captivity. Both our turkeys are males. There are two species of wild turkeys still found in North America and both are native to Florida. Sometimes when driving in or out of the zoo you might be lucky enough to see the flock of wild native turkeys that live in the wetlands on zoo property. The turkey has been a popular part of American culture for many years (which comes from our love of eating it for holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas). Benjamin Franklin wanted to make the wild turkey, not the Bald Eagle, the national bird of the United States! Domestic turkeys weigh twice as much as wild turkeys and most domestic turkeys are so heavy they are unable to fly. The large flap of skin on the male turkey's neck is called a wattle. The small wartlike structure below that is called a caruncle. The caruncle turns bright red when the male's interested in attracting a female and light blue or cream when he's not in the mood. The flap of skin above the beak is called a snood and is also used to impress the females. Wild turkeys spend their days foraging for food like acorns, seeds, small insects and wild berries. They spend their nights in low branches of trees.

Sources: http://www.kidzone.ws/animals/turkey.htm

//--Jonathan Sullivan//