 Wild Turkey by Tyler Ficker With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we’re turning our attention to the true superstar of the season, the Wild Turkey! These birds are far more than a holiday icon. From their impressive size and surprising agility to their comeback story in Ohio and beyond, Wild Turkeys have a fascinating history worth celebrating. You may know that young turkeys are called “poults” or that the President of the United State “pardons” a turkey prior to Thanksgiving,. The practice has been attributed back to the Truman administration but didn’t firmly take hold until the Reagan administration, in 1981. President George H. W. Bush was apparently the first president to announce the pardon of the turkey, stating “But let me assure you, and this fine tom turkey, that he will not end up on anyone’s dinner table, not this guy – he’s granted a Presidential pardon as of right now.” One fact that many students learn in grade school is that Benjamin Franklin wanted the Wild Turkey to be our national symbol. Other turkey facts you may know:
 Wild Turkey by Brian Zwiebel Here are some Turkey Trivia Giblets, er, Tidbits that you can amaze your family and friends with on your Thanksgiving Day Zoom call. 1. There are 5 subspecies of "Wild" Turkey found in the US and Mexico, and another species found in Central America. a. Eastern Wild Turkey- is found in 38 of the 48 continental US states. b. Osceola Wild Turkey- only found in Florida, named for the Osceola region in the state. c. Rio Grande Wild Turkey- found primarily in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. There is also a population of this subspecies in Mexico. d. Merriam’s Wild Turkey- this subspecies is found in the mountains of the western US. e. Gould’s Wild Turkey- resides in Arizona, New Mexico, and northern Mexico. f. Ocellated Wild Turkey- is a separate species of turkey found in a small area in the Yucatan Peninsula, Belize, and Guatemala.  Ocellated Turkey Photo Courtesy of Sabrewing Nature Tours The photo in this post is an Ocellated Turkey from Guatemala. (Thanks to Rob Ripma from Sabrewing Nature Tours for providing this image of a gorgeous turkey.) To learn more about Wild Turkey subspecies visit www.nwtf.org/hunt/article/wild-turkey-subspecies 2. Turkeys were almost extinct in the United States. Around the 1930’s it was estimated that less than 30,000 turkeys were left and they had been extirpated from 20 states. Thanks to conservation efforts and funds from the Pittman-Robertson Act, we now have a robust population estimated to be around 6 and a half million birds. 3. Turkeys are big birds. They weigh around 15 lbs., stand around 3.5 ft. tall and have a wing span of 5 ft. They also have a lot of feathers. It is estimated that turkeys have between 5,000 – 6,000 feathers! 4. Not only are they big, they are l-o-u-d, loud. A tom’s gobble can be heard around a mile away.  Wild Turkey Plumage Detail Courtesy of Brian Zwiebel 5. While we typically see turkeys lazily meandering around as they forage, they can actually be quite fast. Turkeys can hit running speeds up to 25 mph. Many think that they are flightless but they have been clocked at around 55 mph in flight.
6. Turkeys have a very wide field of vision. This is because their eyes are located on the sides of their head which allows them to spot danger from in front and behind. Due to this adaption, turkeys are a very hard game bird to hunt. 7. Turkeys are named after the country of Turkey. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary web page, “When the Spanish arrived in Mexico in the 16th century they encountered the already-domesticated common turkey, Meleagris gallopavo. They apparently liked the bird; turkeys were among the plunder they took back to Spain around 1519. By 1541, the birds had arrived in England. In those days the Turkish Ottoman Empire was at its peak, and the English had Turkey (with a capital-T) on their mind. The English gave the Turks credit for any number of new imports: maize was Turkish wheat, and pumpkins were Turkish cucumbers—though both were actually New World plants. To paraphrase Cindy Ott in her 2012 book Pumpkin: The Curious History of an American Icon, if it was exotic, chances are it got a Turkish appellation. So the new bird was soon being called a turkey-cock, eventually shortened to turkey.” We hope that you have enjoyed learning a few fun facts about one of our most enigmatic birds. One thing is for sure, we should all be extremely thankful for this species. Sources: National Wildlife Federation, Nation Wild Turkey Federation, American Expedition, Merriam-Webster.com & U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  Black Swamp Bird Observatory was deeply honored to host the 17th Annual Ohio Young Birders Conference at the Toledo Zoo this year, a truly incredible day of joy, inspiration, and community. We are thrilled to share that this was the largest conference in club history, a milestone that filled us with immense pride and gratitude. From the very first smiles at check-in to the laughter and friendship shared throughout the day, the energy was nothing short of amazing. Our student presenters were the heart of the event. Their thoughtful, impressive, and uplifting presentations showcased not only their knowledge, but their passion, curiosity, and commitment to nature. We extend our heartfelt thanks to each of our incredible young speakers. Moments like Lifelist bird card trading and private aviary tours added fun and adventure, while the beloved Kaufman ID Quiz, returning for its 17th year, brought students and adults together in learning and lighthearted challenge. We were overjoyed to see a record number of raffle and silent auction donations, helping raise more than $2,000 for student scholarship programs. The generosity of our supporters continues to move us each and every year. A very special thank you goes to the Toledo Zoo for their complimentary use of their stunning venue, their welcoming staff, exclusive aviary tours, and a delicious lunch. We are so fortunate to have such dedicated local partners who share our commitment to nurturing the next generation of conservation leaders.
Our deepest appreciation goes to our student speakers: Joel, Baron, Silas, Anya, Catalina, Emily, Sophie, Desmond, and Marcella, whose presentations radiated joy, knowledge, and heartfelt enthusiasm for birds and the natural world. Our keynote speaker, Killian Sullivan, delivered a truly inspiring and memorable program that encouraged everyone in the room to cherish not only birds and birding, but the community that brings us together through shared wonder. Speaking to a sold-out crowd would challenge anyone, yet every presenter spoke with confidence, pride, and grace. The Kaufman ID Quiz remains a beloved tradition, and we are endlessly grateful to Kenn Kaufman for his continued support, generosity, and dedication to lifting up young birders. Thank you as well to Alex, Emerson, and Winston for helping participants navigate this year’s species selections with patience and encouragement. We extend our appreciation to our wonderful Master of Ceremonies, Wendell, whose warmth, humor, and steady leadership kept the day flowing beautifully. Running a full-day conference is no small feat, and Wendell did a phenomenal job.
This conference would not be possible without the remarkable support of our sponsors. Thank you to our Golden-winged Warbler level sponsors Pattye Bakes Cookies, Dr. Jeff Zipkin and Shelly Gerson. To our Great Egret level sponsor, The Toledo Zoo. To our Black-necked Stilt level sponsors Kaufman Field Guides, Vortex Optics, Land, Sea & Sky, and Zeiss Optics. To our Osprey level sponsors Sabrewing Nature Tours and Tri-Moraine Audubon. To our Wood Duck level sponsors the Ohio Ornithological Society and TownePlace Suites Oregon. And to our White-throated Sparrow level sponsors BWD Magazine, Wild Birds Unlimited Toledo, and American Bird Conservancy. Your belief in our mission uplifts every student who participates. We are also deeply grateful to all who donated to our raffle and silent auction. Your generosity brings so much opportunity to young birders. Special thanks to Friends of Magee Marsh, Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Wild Birds Unlimited, Drawing 10,000 Birds, Julian Bean, Kaufman Field Guides, The American Birding Association, and Mentor Me Photography. Our appreciation extends to Toledo Metroparks for allowing us to host our speaker's dinner at the beautiful Glass City Enrichment Center, and to Carolyn’s Catering for providing a wonderful meal that set the stage for the next day's event. A big thanks to ODNR Staff photographer and OYBC Southeast Chapter advisor Tim Daniel for photographing the day's events! Finally, to every person who supports the Ohio Young Birders Club—our chapter advisors who give endlessly of their time, the parents who nurture their students’ curiosity, and the community members who continue to invest in the leaders of tomorrow, thank you. Your encouragement, kindness, and belief in these young conservationists shape their futures in ways we cannot measure. We are filled with pride and gratitude for every one of you. We cannot wait to see you all on November 7, 2025, as we celebrate a truly remarkable milestone the 20th anniversary of the Ohio Young Birders Club at our next annual conference. Until then, thank you for bringing so much hope, happiness, and inspiration to this unforgettable event. |
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January 2026
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