This winter we have a rafter of 5 turkeys that walk past the cabin every morning and then in the oposite direction every evening, at dusk. They walk very slowly and warily, constantly contorting their necks into comical positions as they listen for danger. About eleven years ago we stayed at a friend’s cabin near Fish Creek. He told us that turkeys seemed to favor roosting in thewoods east of his cabin and not be be concerned if we hear strange sounds from that direction. “Sometimes you’ll hear the sound of breaking branches and then a thud when they fall out of trees.” We thought that Pete was pulling our legs. But we actually did hear exactly what he described. Following are some other turkey facts:
– In the 1930’s turkeys were almost hunted to extinction.
– 5,500 feathers on a turkey.
– A turkey’s eyesight is 3 times better than humans
– Turkey’s have poor night vision.
– They have 270-degree wide peripheral vision.
– They can hear really well, especially low frequency sounds.
– Wild turkeys can fly as fast as 55 miles per hour.
– Their life span is only 3-5 years.
