Wild Turkey

Here is a flock of wild turkey's in the Upper peninsula of Michigan.  This picture was taken  in September  of 2011.

Andy and I were driving in Joliet, Illinois in January of 2013 when we came upon  this scene.  Who would have thought we would see wild turkeys in a residential area.

The wild turkey is a large brown and bronze plump bird with striking blue and red bare head.  They have a fan  tail with long straight  black beard in the center of the chest. They have spurs on their legs

Definitely males.

The female is thinner and less striking, and do not have the breast beard.  They nest on the ground and only have one brood a year.  They have 10 to 12 eggs that are buff white with dull brown markings.  It takes 27 to 28 days to incubate the eggs.  The female leads the young to food.  They like insects, seeds and fruit. 

The turkey was eliminated from Illinois by the turn of the last century due to market hunting and loss of habitat.  They were reintroduced in the 1950's and 60's.  Males hold harems up to 20 females.  They are strong fliers and can get up to 60 mph.  They are able to fly straight up, then away. 

Their eyesight is 3 times better than humans.  Their hearing is excellent, and able to hear competing males up to one mile away.  They roost in trees at night.  It is the largest game bird in Illinois.