Five Fascinating Turkey Truths

5. Turkeys can fly

The most popular question regarding turkeys this holiday season is probably "is it ready to eat?" But the season's most popular bird has some surprises up its feathery sleeve. They can fly! And not all gobble. Here are five turkey truths from Life's Little Mysteries.

Not only can wild turkeys fly, but they can do so for short bursts at up to 55 mph. The wild turkey's habit of feeding on the ground might explain the myth of their flightlessness, but many can fly high enough to roost in trees. Domestic turkeys, however, such as the Broad Breasted White turkey, which is the most widely-used breed commercially, cannot fly because their meat holds them down: They have been bred to be much heavier and with a larger breast.

4. Turkeys sleep in trees

Although turkeys are often thought of as being anchored to the ground, wild turkeys actually spend their nights perched atop of tree branches. This keeps them high above their natural predators, which include coyotes, foxes, skunks, raccoons, snakes and dogs. When they wake up, turkeys give a series of soft yelps before descending; it's a "good morning!" call to make sure that the rest of their roosting group is okay after a night of not seeing or hearing one another.

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3. Turkey eggs aren't profitable

Turkey hens produce larger eggs than chickens do, and they require more nesting space than chickens, which usually live in cramped coop conditions. Turkeys also lay fewer eggs and start popping them out later in life than chickens, the champion egg-producers. Some turkey breeds are also very protective of their eggs, which can make collecting the eggs more challenging. For farmers, raising turkeys for meat is easier and more profitable than trying to sell turkey eggs, although some organic farm stands and natural foods stores do carry them.

2. Female turkeys don't gobble

A female turkey is called a hen and the male turkey is called a gobbler and for a good reason. Only male turkeys make that adorable gobbling sound; hens cluck and make small, chirp-like noises. Each male turkeys use his unique gobbling and strutting skills to attract the ladies.

1. Ben Franklin recommended the wild turkey as the national bird

According to the Library of Congress records, Benjamin Franklin stated in 1784 that:

"For my own part, I wish the bald eagle had not been chosen as the representative of our country; he is a bird of bad moral character; he does not get his living honestly...like those among men who live by sharping and robbing...he is generally poor, and often very lousy. Besides, he is a rank coward; the little king-bird, not bigger than a sparrow, attacks him boldly and drives him out of the district...For in truth, the turkey is in comparison a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original native of America. Eagles have been found in all countries, but the turkey was peculiar to ours..."

If Ben had had his way, I wonder if we would be eating bald eagles on Thanksgiving?

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