Does Anyone Know What This Is
Does Anyone Know What This Is, well I did not know until the other day. I have seen wild turkeys from a distance. But never this close. The male turkeys, called Tom’s, are so much more colorful than I knew, especially during this time of year and if the sun is out.
These feathers sticking out from the males are called beards. Males typically have a “beard”, a tuft of coarse hair (modified feathers) growing from the center of the breast. Beards average 230 mm (9.1 in) in length. The longer the beard the older the turkey.
The body feathers are generally blackish and dark, sometimes grey brown overall with a coppery sheen that becomes more complex in adult males. The male is substantially larger than the female, and his feathers have areas of red, purple, green, copper, bronze, and gold iridescence.
Adult males, called toms or gobblers, have a large, featherless, reddish head, red throat, and red wattles on the throat and neck. The head has fleshy growths called caruncles. Juvenile males are called jakes; the difference between an adult male and a juvenile is that the jake has a very short beard and his tail fan has longer feathers in the middle.
Their heads are very colorful, from pinks and blues. Now, their face is a little odd, but their beautiful feathers really make them shine. Tomorrow I will show a couple photos of the Tom’s strutting their stuff. I never know when they will show up and they spook real easy. I hope to get some video of them one of these times.
Does Anyone Know What This Is
49 Replies to “Does Anyone Know What This Is”
Thank you so much Sandra those pictures are really beautiful.
Honestly, this bird is more beautiful than me 🤣🤣 kidding… The feathers of the bird is beautiful 😍😍
I did not realize how colorful they were until this year when I saw them this close. 🙂
I did not know turkeys were this beautiful. And they had beards!
Yes, I did not know either until this year. 😊
See, I learned something new today. I had forgotten all about those “beards” on the male turkey.
🙂 I had never seen a beard on one before, but usually when I would see turkey they were so far away, I could not even see the beautiful colors before. Not until they were here at my bird feeders. 🙂
Never seen before – thanks 🙂
You are very welcome 😊
Interesting Sandra – first I’ve not seen a wild turkey and now want to see one, any color. 🙂 That’s odd having that tuft of hair … nature is amazing and you give us lots of info to go with your pictures.
They are such an interesting bird.
Oh these really are beautiful birds, Sandra! That iridescence is so pretty. And as for those goofy wattles, I’m sure the females find them very attractive. Thank you for all the bird info!
You are very welcome Mary, they are an interesting bird for sure. 🙂
I grew up on a turkey farm. I love watching turkeys, domesticated or wild.
How cool Mark, I did not know much about the wild turkeys until I had to look up some information on what the beard was and amazed at all the colors on the males feathers.
They are amazing animals, but the rumor about drowning in a rain storm is true. Like humans, they have their moments of doing dumb things.
I forgot about that saying. Very interesting.
Apparently they are super intelligent.
Until it rains, and then they form a huddle and stick their heads toward the heavens, leading to a single drop of water drowning them. Otherwise, smarter than most people think. And as for me as a little kid, they remembered the guy who shoved their heads in the water bowl and feed tray so that they would learn where that stuff was. They might attack anyone else, but they had imprinted me as one of them.
Very interesting Mark, 🙂
Yes, I don’t know a lot about them. 🙂
Boy If I were a female turkey I’d be saying “Hubba hubba those are some buff stud muffins” But alas I am mot so I’ll just say these are some beautiful pictures, Sandra
Laugh! What has crying ever done for you?
That is funny Mr. Ohh, on tomorrows post, I am putting some photo of the males all puffed up trying to impress the girls. But on this particular day the girls were completely ignoring them. But it was fun to watch. 🙂
I’m hip Girls ignore me all the time
That is funny, 😅😊
Beautiful colour pattern they’ve got! Sure the females love it.
Yes, they are pretty colorful this time of year.😊
I had no idea that some birds have « beards »… Nature can be so weird and funny…
Thanks, Sandra. Have a nice day.
I know Francine, one of the turkey has two beards, he must be really old. 😊, a wonderful day to you also.
Terrific. Love the beard.
Thank you Sherry😊
Beards all males have them and the longer they are the older 🙂
Yes, amazing how similar that is. 😊
You were able to get the shots after all as you said they dodged you last time. Who said turkeys are smarter than humans?
Yes, I stood inside the house, slowly opened the door and they did not notice for a bit, but when they heard the camera clicking they went back into the woods.
I know what it is: perfect shots! And no animal was hurt for it!
😊 yes and thank you.
Stunning captures, Sandra. Never saw the beauty of these birds so well detailed as in your photos. The structure of the feathers remind me of roof tiles, ending brisk, chopped. Very interesting.
Thank you Greta, they are quite the birds to see up close. 😊
Yes, I know what those wonderful up close photos are. They are reminders of my very first pets. Thank you so much Sandra for yesterday’s and today’s great captures. 🦃
You are very welcome Kent. 😊
You mean that’s normal?!!! I thought the poor turkey was hurt.
I know me to. It is normal. 😊
Oooh, I know… it’s a bird.
😊, a very colorful one at that.
Great captures Sandra, an extraordinary, interesting and beautiful bird, with quite complex features. We have Wattlebirds, but they are nothing like the wattles on those Turkey.
Turkeys are so unique looking. Quite pretty and so large. 😊
And you ain’t talkin’ turkey! Wait a minute. Yes, you are. Very interesting. I don’t recall ever hearing about the “beards.”
I have not heard that line in awhile, 😅 thank you Herb,