Stop Disrespecting These Birds By Calling Them Flightless, Wild Turkeys in Utah Can Fly

Turkeys can’t fly. At least that’s what we’ve always been told, but it is time to rectify this wrong. Here’s the truth about these residents of the beehive state and some other amazing facts you should know. 

Wild Turkeys Can Fly at Highway Speeds 

Not only can these birds get off the ground, they have been clocked upwards of 55 mph. The misunderstanding comes from their domesticated cousins who are bigger and fatter and can only flap a bit. 

You can find wild turkeys in Utah roosting at night in trees and sometimes power poles for protection. The only way they get up that high is by flying. Even though they can get off the ground, they are usually seen walking around. This doesn’t help their image. 

Turkeys Eat Rocks and Change the Color of Their Heads

This next fact can’t be helpful when turkeys are trying to get off the ground. The birds eat small rocks to help with digestion. They don’t have teeth, so the rocks help break things up. That can’t feel good in the belly. 

They also can change the skin on their heads from red to blue and even white. No wonder Ben Franklin wanted them for America’s official bird. This is done to show other males the emotions they are feeling and intimidate. 

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Now you know more about wild turkeys than the average Utahn. Why does this matter? Because there are more than 30,000 of these birds flying around the state. When you meet these strutting around in the wild, it can be pretty memorable.