Gobble and Wobble: Thanksgiving Week Turkey Facts

THANKSGIVING TABLE: The domestic, farm-raised turkey most Americans eat on Thanksgiving Day is nothing like the wild turkey feasted on by the Pilgrims and Native Americans. Though Thanksgiving Day is now in the rearview mirror, many Hamptonites are now chowing down on Leftover Sandwiches—hopefully with an adequate “moistmaker.” Here are a few facts about the tasty game bird chosen as the main course for the first feast, courtesy of the National Wild Turkey Federation.
•Wild turkeys, now almost 7 million strong, were almost extinct in the early 1900s.
•Wild turkeys can run up to 25 mph. Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest human, averaged 23.35 mph during his world-record 100 meters.
•Wild turkeys were argued by Benjamin Franklin to be a more appropriate choice than bald eagles as our national bird.
•Wild turkeys rarely weigh more than 24 pounds, while domestic turkeys regularly grow to more than 40 pounds.
•Wild turkeys, which have as many as 6,000 feathers, can fly as fast as 55 mph. Most domestic turkeys are too heavy to fly.
•Wild turkeys have much sharper vision than humans and can view their entire surroundings simply by turning their head.
•Wild turkeys can make at least 28 different vocalizations, with gobbles heard up to one mile away.
•Wild turkeys roost (sleep) in trees, often as high as 50 feet off the ground.
Convinced that turkeys are too cool to eat? Head to Danshamptons.com to find out why the Piping Plover is the better choice for a
Thanksgiving meal.