Wild Turkey Mesēqnaewak By: Miranda Fink College of Menominee Nation Sacred Little Ones Initiative

Mesēqnaewak live in the woods of North America.

The mesēqnaewak is the largest game bird in North America.

Male mesēqnaewak are called toms or gobblers.

Female mesēqnaewak are called hens.

Young adult mesēqnaewak are called jakes.

Males have spurs and beards.

Spurs are sharp, pointed spikes that are used for protection.

Mesēqnaewak are covered with dark feathers to help them blend in with their forest homes.

The mesēqnaewak changes colors when scared or excited.

Mesēqnaewak have excellent eye sight.

Mesēqnaewak feed on seeds, grass, berries, and small insects.

Glossary Caruncle - brightly colored growths on the throat region that changes colors when excited or scared. Gizzard - a part of a bird's stomach that contains tiny stones. It helps them grind up food for digestion. Hen - a female turkey. Poult - a baby turkey, a chick. Snood - the flap of skin that hangs over the turkey's beak which changes colors when excited or scared. Tom - a male turkey, also known as a gobbler. Wattle - the flap of skin under the turkey's chin which also turns colors. Fun Facts Wild turkey can fly up to 55 miles per hour over short distances. Turkeys can run at a speed of 25 miles per hour. Turkeys sleep in trees, which is called roosting. Only males “gobble”. Female turkeys cluck and click. Hens lay eggs, one egg per day, over a two week time span. Wild turkeys are native to North America and can only be found on this continent. Benjamin Franklin wanted the wild turkey to be the national bird. Adult males typically weigh between 16 and 24 pounds. Adult females normally weigh between 8 and 10 pounds.

Author Biography Miranda Fink lives in Shawano, Wisconsin. She currently attends College of Menominee Nation. Miranda will soon earn her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends. On her free time she likes reading, hunting, and fishing.