Lessons in Life from a Biting Turkey

By Lauri deGaris

The other day, I was at the barn sharing time with a herd of horses when a gaggle of turkeys strutted through the pasture. A few of the horses thought the turkeys were equine-eating creatures and galloped away. The other horses did not seem to mind the presence of the gaggling group.

To this very day, every time I see a turkey, I think of Cindy Mosling. Cindy is a bird whisperer and past owner of B.E.A.K.S. (Bird Emergency Aid Kare Sanctuary) on Big Talbot Island. For decades, Cindy and many dedicated volunteers nursed injured birds back to health. Those who could not be released back into the wild remained at BEAKS. Cindy is retired now and BEAKS is closed. However, many memories linger about her good work with injured birds. One such memory is the story of “Beethoven” the wild turkey.

Twenty-five years ago, or better, after consuming a very large meal that included turkey, I paid a visit to my friend Cindy at BEAKS. It was Thanksgiving Day and I was delivering a chocolate bourbon pecan pie to Cindy and her staff. This was also the day I first met Beethoven, the wild turkey.

Beethoven was a permanent resident at BEAKS. He had been shot by a pellet gun years ago. Cindy nursed him back to health, but Beethoven refused to leave. Every time Beethoven was released into the wild, he would somehow find his way back to BEAKS. Eventually, Cindy just let him stay.

Beethoven patrolled the sanctuary with a sharp eye and a steady gait. If he suspected something was not just right, he moved to investigate. If Beethoven decided that your presence was not welcome, he would pursue you right out the front entrance of the sanctuary. Signs were posted on BEAKS property “Do not run, turkey will chase you!”

I enjoyed my Thanksgiving afternoon at BEAKS and when time to depart, I noticed Beethoven was watching me. I was about 25 yards from my car when something told me to move along faster. Beethoven started walking toward me; he had a strange look in his eye. Then, that little voice in my head told me, I could reach the car before that bird could catch me. I thought twice and made a run for the car.

With keys in hand, I bolted and sure enough, Beethoven started running after me. I got to the car door and pulled it open to jump in when, oooouuuuuucccchhhhh! Beethoven bit me on the upper, upper, upper part of my hind thigh. I reached back and grabbed my bleeding buttock when my friend looked at me and said, “Hey you’ve been bitten on the butt by a turkey on Thanksgiving Day – wow!” This is no lie. Beethoven’s beak had penetrated my blue jeans and tasted my flesh, leaving me stunned beyond words. No, I will never forget that Thanksgiving. I was ever so thankful not to require stitches that day.

North American turkeys belong to the class of Aves, the order of Galliformes and the family of Phasiamidae – Meleagris gallopavo. Males typically weigh up to 24 pounds and females are slightly smaller weighing in at no more than 15 pounds. They are native to North America.

Turkeys are fast runners moving on the ground at 25 mph and flying as fast as 55 mph. This I can personally vouch for. The male has a featherless head and throat with a body covered by red bronze and gold iridescent feathers. He also has a “beard” — a patch of coarse feathers growing from the center of his breast. The female is dull brown. Both have between 5,000 and 6,000 feathers.

Turkeys have spurs on their lower legs. The males use these to fight or spar with other males. Under the chin you find a “wattle” and the fleshy bumps on the head and throat are “caruncles.” The flap that hangs from the beak is a “snood.”

Turkeys eat everything like acorns, nuts, seeds, and berries as well as small amphibians, reptiles and insects; a true omnivore. They roam open woodlands, savannas, grasslands, and swamps. They have an extensive vocabulary making at least 30 distinctive calls.

Tom turkeys are polygamous, mating with several hens each season. Tom struts around displaying his feathers while his neck turns various colors of red, white and blue. The hen lays approximately 15 eggs over a two-week period. Nests are shallow dirt depressions surrounded by vegetation. Females incubate eggs for about 28 days.

Many Indigenous cultures of North America consider turkey to be the “Give-Away Eagle.” Modern society has taught us that “to acquire” is to get ahead – the one with the most toys wins. In other cultures, no one can win at life unless the needs of the whole of the community are met. A person who claims more than his fair share is looked upon as selfish, crazy or both. One is taught to act and react on behalf of others. This is not done out of some sort of self-righteous moralism or religious guilt. It is done to create a healthy, whole community.

Each holiday season, I remind myself never give to receive. That is manipulation. Give without regret and give with a joyful heart. All life is sacred and everyone is deserving of sustenance and help. Turkey medicine reminds us that what you do for others you do for yourself.

Enjoy this holiday season and remember, do not run when in the presence of wild turkeys. And, give freely and lovingly to all who need help.