Turkey Hens and Poults

MG Georgia Townsend sends these pictures of some Wild Turkey Hens and their young (called poults) roaming the edge of her woods.

Wild Turkey Hens and Poults

Wild Turkey Hens and Poults

Some more facts about Wild Turkey, (Meleagris gallopavo): 

• Wild turkeys are very social birds and congregate in flocks during winter. Poults often stay with the hen during their first winter. Flock size increases as winter weather becomes more severe, with small flocks merging together in areas with reliable food resources.
• Turkeys can run greater than 12 miles per hour and attain flying speeds of 50 to 55 miles per hour. They often roost in trees at night.
• Poults are unable to fly until they are 10 to 12 days old. During this time period, they are very susceptible to cold, rainy weather and to predators. It is not uncommon for 50 percent or more of poults to die during their first six weeks. Wild turkeys that survive to adulthood may reach 10 years of age, though most do not live that long.
• Ben Franklin,in a letter to his daughter, proposed the turkey as the official United Statesbird.

Here are a few more pictures from September of 2009 that I captured at home: