Turkeys for Thanksgiving
By Derek Stoner, Conservation Project Coordinator
Wild Turkeys brighten up the landscape with their unique pattern of colors for both display and camouflage. Image by Derek Stoner.
Today is the most bird-centric of all our holidays. Americans have carved out an entire dedicated to the consumption of one key food item: turkey. These domestic birds do not bear much resemblance to their wild cousins, but are still descended from the same stock that the original Pilgrims and Native Americans feasted upon together.
Here in Delaware, the Wild Turkey population is estimated at around 5,000 birds. We do not have many turkeys in northern Delaware, but they may be found in isolated pockets across southern Delaware.
Beautiful, showy, and cunning, the Wild Turkey is a symbol of the American Wilderness. Ben Franklin famously pushed for the turkey to be named the official symbol of our nation, but the Bald Eagle won that honor. So we have Ben to thank for the fact that we are eating delicious turkey today and not eating fishy-tasting eagles!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! We are thankful to all of the members of Delaware Nature Society, and appreciate all your support of The Nature of Delaware blog. Enjoy the holiday season.
Prize Alert:
What organization is responsible for the restoration of Wild Turkey populations in Delaware during the past two decades? Please write your answer in the “Comments” section.
The first person to post the correct answer will receive a copy of “Identify Yourself: The 50 Most Common Identification Challenges” – a most helpful and insightful book about birds.
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National Wild Turkey Federation along w/ DE Division of Fish & Wildlife
Division of Fish & Wildlife, supported by the National Wild Turkey Federation.
National Wild Turkey Federation?
National Wild Turkey Federation!
The Division of Fish and Wildlife, with support from the National Wild Turkey Federation (who knew there was such a federation?)I’ve seen wild turkeys in PA and Maine, but not yet in DE
The answer is the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), in partnership with the Delaware Divison of Wildlife. NWTF is responsible for the tremendously successful restoration of turkey populations across North America, through trap-and-transfer programs.
Congratulations to Jim Hall for being the first to rspond with the correct answer.