TURKEY GOBBLE MUSIC
Girl's Voice: How much do you know about wild turkeys,
America's largest game bird and Thanksgiving treat?
Dad's Voice: I am native to North America and was first domesticated in Mexico.
Here I am today in the Mayan village of Oxkutzcab,
which means "three turkeys in the forest".
Mayans call me "cutz" and Native Americans call me "firkee".
MUSIC
TURKEY GOBBLE My own language is universal.
I mostly sound the same wherever you find me.
TURKEY GOBBLE NATIVE AMERICAN MUSIC
Girl's Voice: Native Americans used my feathers for ceremonial clothing
and my wing bones for turkey callers.
I was a source of food for the early settlers.
Ben Franklin wrote his daughter that I might be a nobler choice
for America's national bird than the bald eagle.
I would have been a showy patriot. When I'm upset or mating,
my head can change colors to red, white and blue.
TURKEY TROT MUSIC
I once inspired a dance called the Turkey Trot.
With short, jerky steps, couples moved in circles trying to strut like me.
Dad's Voice: In the early 1900's, I was almost extinct.
Over-hunting and habitat destruction nearly wiped me out.
Thanks to hunters and conservation groups, my numbers have gone
turkey hunting in Missouri. COUNTRY MUSIC
The toms put on a show to attract hens by
puffing up their chests and fanning out their tails.
and in fall--berries and acorns.
I can see in color and my daylight vision
is three times better than human eyesight.
I can also see movement up to 100 yards away,
but at night my vision is very poor.
TURKEY CALLER In the fall and spring, Missouri hunters enjoy the thrill of pursuing me.
but offer great fun and sport in the outdoors.
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with open space nearby for feeding.
At night I will fly up to roost in trees,
TURKEY GOBBLE Girl's Voice: So come on outdoors
and talk turkey with me, in the wild. TURKEY GOBBLE MUSIC