I often see a couple of hen turkeys strolling through the backyard together, checking for spilled seed under the bird feeders or probing for goodies in the wildflower garden. But yesterday when I looked out in the backyard, there were a couple of very large turkeys that looked too big to be hens, just loafing and taking a break in the shade of the walnut tree.
I would have thought these were females, but they appear to have remnants of red wattles, and a slight bluish cast to their neck skin.
Does anyone know if tom turkeys lose their beard, wattles, and iridescent plumage in the non-breeding season?
Wonderful shots, Sue. I can’t help with your queries–the only turkeys with which I have experience have been encased in plastic and usually were frozen.
Boy, all I ever get are quail! Never a butterball.