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You are here: Home / biology / Just in time for Thanksgiving {Turkey Nature Study}

Just in time for Thanksgiving {Turkey Nature Study}

November 11, 2016 by Paige's assistant

Learn about turkeys in an instant with this information, activity, and free printable!

Turkey hand-prints, turkey pine cones, and a whole host of other turkey-related activities are popping up all over the internet. So, I thought that it was about time that we talk turkeys – that is turkey nature study!

Back in the early 1900’s, wild turkeys were hunted to near extinction. Nowadays, thanks to restoration programs, the wild turkey can be seen (or heard) in many forests throughout the US. Although these birds can run up to 25 mph, so you may only find signs of turkeys, such as a feather, droppings, or prints. Turkeys can also fly at up to 55 mph, which means that they can get away from you in a hurry!

If you do spot a wild turkey, chances are you will see more than one. Turkeys travel in groups and know each other by their unique calls. Male turkeys are called “gobblers” because of the noise they make to entice female turkeys.

Male turkeys are larger and more colorful than the females. Toms have the ability to puff up their feathers and fan out their tails, similar to peacocks. Males also have snoods, a fleshy mass over their beak, that can lengthen. These changes work together to help the male turkeys attract a mate.

Female turkeys are smaller and duller in color. Hens can lay a clutch of up to 12 eggs, which they will incubate for 28 days before they hatch. All turkeys are omnivores as their diet consists of berries, acorns, seeds, and small insects and other small animals.

Fun Fact –  Tom turkeys have a featherless head that can change colors with their mood. When a turkey is calm, the flesh on its head is bluish-white, but when it is excited or upset its head turns bright red! 

More Homeschool Science Helps

  • This time last year, we shared about Cones.
  • Don’t miss these 4 tips on how to keep your homeschool motivation alive as the holidays approach!

Links to Research

  • 14 Fun Facts About Turkeys
  • What’s A Snood?  A Wattle?  Talking Turkey About A Popular Bird
  • 10 Terrific Turkey Facts
  • {Video} Turkey Sounds

Filed Under: biology, instascience, teaching science at home Tagged With: birds, fall, turkeys

Welcome to the Elemental Blogging Laboratory

 
profile picWelcome to the Elemental Blogging Laboratory, a.k.a. the Eb Lab. Here at the lab, I have the pleasure of sharing with you all my passion for mixing up solutions for homeschool science! My name is Paige Hudson. I am a homeschooling mom and science curriculum writer for Elemental Science.
 
Why do I call this blog the "Eb Lab"? It is because I am scientist at heart and by profession, so it pretty much spills into everything I do. I love to share tips and tools with fellow educators as they seek to share science with their students!
 
That is what this blog is all about. One homeschooler to another, sharing her area of expertise, seeking to support you as you teach your students about the wonders of science.
 
So, grab your lab coat, notebook, and goggles...well maybe not the goggles because let's face it nobody looks good in those...and you probably don't have a lab coat lying around your house either...
 
So, grab a cup of coffee and notebook, and head on in to the Eb Lab to gather tools for homeschool science, tips for homeschooling, and the latest Elemental Science news!
 
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