Wild Turkeys: The Surprisingly Clever Icons of Autumn
- Kimberly Riley
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
As Thanksgiving approaches, the wild turkey becomes one of the most familiar symbols of the season. They appear in decorations, school projects, and the occasional viral photo of a curious bird blocking traffic. But beyond the seasonal spotlight, wild turkeys are one of North America’s most fascinating native species — equal parts impressive, animated, and misunderstood.
A National Bird… Almost? The Real Story Behind the Myth
A popular bit of American folklore claims Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey — not the bald eagle — to be our national bird. While this story is often repeated, the truth is more nuanced.
Franklin never formally proposed the turkey for the Great Seal, and his actual seal design didn’t include birds at all. The Smithsonian notes that the myth gained traction over time — even appearing on a 1962 New Yorker cover imagining a turkey-themed national emblem.
However, there is a kernel of truth behind the legend.
In a letter to his daughter, Franklin openly critiqued the bald eagle’s character, calling it “a bird of bad moral Character” that steals food from other birds. He contrasted it with the turkey, which he praised as “a much more respectable Bird… a true original Native of America… [and] a Bird of Courage.”
While Franklin wasn’t campaigning to crown the turkey as America’s emblem, his letter shows he held a genuine admiration for the species — one that has endured as a uniquely American anecdote.
Smarter Than Their Reputation Suggests
Since long before social media memes, turkeys have battled the myth that they are unintelligent — especially the old claim that they will look up at the rain with their mouths open and drown.
This persistent tale is not true for wild turkeys.
The myth stems from certain domestic-bred turkeys that developed genetic neurological issues, sometimes causing them to hold their heads at odd angles. Wild turkeys, by contrast, are notorious for being alert, adaptive, and far more coordinated than people assume.
Wild turkeys can:
Run up to 20 mph
Fly in bursts reaching 55 mph
Produce more than 20 different vocalizations
Recognize individual flock members
Navigate complex social hierarchies
In short?
They are not foolish — simply a bit dramatic.
Ohio’s Conservation Comeback
By the early 1900s, wild turkeys had disappeared from Ohio entirely due to habitat loss and unregulated hunting. But thanks to restoration efforts beginning in the 1950s, turkeys were successfully reintroduced and have since repopulated much of the state.
Today, spotting a flock in a wooded clearing or along a rural road is a common sight — and a testament to how effective wildlife conservation can be.
Masters of Seasonal Rhythm
Wild turkeys spend their days foraging for nuts, berries, insects, and seeds, but their nights are spent roosting high in trees for safety. Larger fall flocks — sometimes dozens of birds — become a familiar sight as the birds prepare for winter.
Despite their heavy build, turkeys are surprisingly agile, often gliding down from treetops at dawn with impressive control.
A Bird With Built-In Mood Rings
One of the turkey’s most striking traits is its ability to change the color of its head. Male turkeys (toms) can shift between red, white, and blue depending on their emotional and physical state:
Blue when calm
White when excited
Red when aggressive or ready to mate
This rapid color-shifting is used for communication within the flock — and for attracting attention.
More Than a Holiday Symbol
Although deeply tied to Thanksgiving imagery, the wild turkey is a year-round emblem of resilience and adaptation. Whether strutting through a frosty field, perched high in a maple tree, or softly purring to its flock, the turkey remains an important part of Ohio’s natural landscape and a reminder of how wildlife can rebound when given the chance.
As we head into the holiday season, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate the wild turkey not just as a symbol of the feast — but as a remarkable, storied bird that has earned its place in American history.
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