Male turkeys don’t gobble all the time. Sometime around now they pack it in for the season, and spend the summer relaxing in the shade. I learned this, and many other fascinating turkey facts from a forest friend who’s also a hunter. Though I did notice big Tom’s gobbling was becoming less frequent, and he wasn’t hanging out by the trail anymore, I didn’t know his looks were changing too.
This was Tom a few weeks ago. While gobbling, he would stand in a sunny patch to ensure his blood-engorged wattle grabbed the attention of any passing hen. His wild eyed look confirmed his state of mind – he was high on testosterone. As with male deer during the rut, there was no rest to be had while unbred females were out there.
So what a surprise to spot him yesterday way up on a dead limb, obviously in a mellower mood than the last time we met. And that bright red wattle gone all flabby and pale! I might have wondered if he was indeed the same bird, were it not for his long beard and pleasantly plump chest. Looking for an explanation, I found this in Roger Latham’s Complete Book of the Wild Turkey.
“The color of a tom’s head and neck change, from a vibrant red (caruncles), white, (crown of the head) and blue (neck and side of face) during the breeding season, to a more subdued red and blue for the rest of the year.”
After a busy spring of beating up on the younger jake turkeys, and mating with all the hens in this forest, he certainly deserves his rest.
one forest fragment 
Ann Rosa
Your posts are always so interesting and informative. I usually see several turkeys in our yard every year but this year I’ve only spotted one small flock moving thru the forest.
Keep up the good work!!
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oneforestfragment
Maybe the rest have moved here – we seem to have more every year!
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Serendipity
LOL I needed this happy respite – thanks!
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Jane
That bird looks very satisfied. I’m surprised he’s not smoking a cigarette.
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oneforestfragment
Meanwhile the hens are busy raising the next generation.
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shoreacres
A friend and I just were talking about the fact that the mockingbirds, cardinals, and doves seem to be done with their singing and cooing for the spring. Maybe there’s a whole lot of exhaustion out there — especially given the number of fledglings I’ve seen!
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oneforestfragment
We have a newly fledged baby cardinal outside the window. Watching the upset parents trying to keep up with it brings back memories of being in busy public places with a toddler!
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Jim Sky
There comes a time
when waddle wanes,
and what had once
meant everything,
becomes regret
for all you’ve lain.
Meleagris
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oneforestfragment
Oh that makes my day – brilliant!!
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