Turkeys are a big part of the Thanksgiving holiday, but there are many things that people don't know about them. Here are some fun facts about turkeys:

1. Turkeys can fly

Many people believe that turkeys can't fly because they mostly eat food on the ground. However, wild turkeys have been known to fly up to 55 mph in short spurts. Unfortunately for domesticated turkeys, this isn't true since they're typically bred to be much heavier than wild turkeys, almost twice the weight.

2. They sleep in trees at night

Unlike other birds who roost in trees, turkeys spend most of their time on the ground. The only time they take to the skies is from dusk to dawn when it's harder for predators to spot them. This is because Turkeys can't see well in low-light conditions.

3. Their heads can change colors

The emotional state of a turkey can be determined by the hue of its head. Its colors can range from red to blue to white, and the vibrancy of those hues indicates how excited or calm the turkey is.

4. Are they a boy or a girl?

A male's poop is shaped in the form of a J, while a female's droppings are generally more spiral-shaped. Also, the larger size of the feces normally indicates an older bird.

5. How many feathers do turkeys have?

Turkeys have an impressive amount of feathers on their body, with some estimates ranging up from to 5,000-6,000! They have feathers that shimmer and shine with colors of red, green, copper and bronze, and gold. Some can even have reddish-brown, gray, white, and black colors.

6. Wild Vs Domestic Turkey

Keep in mind that, although both wild and domestic turkeys share the same genetics, this is the only similarity between them. After that point, you will be able to see enough differences to tell them apart. To start, the feather colors of both wild and domestic turkeys differ greatly from one another. The plumage of wild turkeys usually consists of deep shades of brown and black, while domesticated turkeys typically have white feathers - a direct result of their domestication. Native Americans were the original caretakers of these domesticated birds. Domestic turkeys have fewer genes overall and less variation than wild turkeys, as well as other domesticated animals.

7. Male turkeys gobble and female turkeys cluck - that's how you can tell them apart!

Male turkeys are known for their iconic "gobble" sound, while female turkeys make a more subtle "cluck" noise. The difference in sound between the two sexes is quite distinct and can be easily identified. Male turkeys tend to make loud and guttural gobbling noises that can carry long distances and be heard far away. On the other hand, female turkeys make a much softer clucking noise that is generally quieter and more subdued. While both genders of turkey can be quite loud when they vocalize, the male turkey's gobble is what most people think of when it comes to these birds.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving from Duncan Plumbing!!!