Their meat and feathers were essential to the early settlers and Native peoples along the Lake Erie shoreline. In this area, wild turkeys were abundant and became the main food for the Native Americans of the region. ![]() It was shortly after that they were introduced into Europe, where they quickly became established as barnyard fowl. When Mexico fell to Cortez in the early 1500s, wild turkeys in the United States had already been domesticated. The wild turkeys that we see on Presque Isle and just about everywhere in northwestern Pennsylvania are the same species as the domestic turkey, which initially came from a southern Mexican subspecies that was known as early as 1509. Their thick and heavy feathers protect them from many injuries. Many smaller predators have gotten the losing side of a skirmish with a wild turkey. When endangered by predators, the male can use strutting as a defense, although male wild turkeys are a formidable foe in any fight with most predators. Outside the typical breeding season, strutting is also used as a show of dominance in the presence of other males. This display has other meanings in different situations. However, this strutting and display are not limited to the spring mating season. So, why are humans and hen turkeys so fascinated with gazing upon all 18 tailfeathers of a puffy, fanned gobbler? These displays can range from ornate to simple, and all are designed to allow the male to show off his plumage and colors in hopes of impressing a female to result in mating. Two huge males were in a strutting contest around hens that were trying to find breakfast. ![]() To my surprise, as it was just a bit early, seven wild turkeys were in the woods by the Presque Isle Marina. Watch Video: Winter at Presque Isle State ParkĬoming up on a year ago, I drove out to Presque Isle State Park to photograph what looked to me to be a beautiful March sunrise and a few other pictures.
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