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Respectable Birds Ready to Attack Grenadiers of the British Guard! Wild Turkeys in the North Georgia Mountain Community of Big Canoe
By djelliott999 | December 20, 2007
Yes, the title is truly an overly dramatic paraphrase from a letter that Ben Franklin wrote to his daughter in the late 1700’s regarding the wild turkeys of America. In consideration of the holiday season and its commonplace culinary centerpiece, the roasted turkey, I felt this was an appropriate subject, although Ben Franklin might have disagreed.
Wild turkeys are fascinating birds. Wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) are North America’s largest gallinaceous bird. To look at them, you’d never think they could get off the ground. In fact, they are incredibly agile both on and off the ground. On the ground, they can reach speeds of over 12 MPH, and they can reach speeds over 55 MPH in flight. Watching them here in the North Georgia community of Big Canoe, you’d never know it. This may be due in part to the fact that all 8000+ acres of Big Canoe is a Wildlife Sanctuary, so maybe the birds just do not feel compelled to run or fly at these speeds. Seeing these magnificent birds is not at all unusual here in Big Canoe, and notwithstanding the wildlife sanctuary, this is also a testimonial to excellent wildlife management.
According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the wild turkey 
population in Georgia numbered around 17,000 birds in 1973. The DNR instituted a restocking program, and today Georgia enjoys a healthy population of wild turkeys numbering around 300,000 birds. Considering the wild turkey was nearly extirpated from the landscape of Georgia, this is a fantastic success story for wildlife management.
Every time it rains here in Big Canoe, it brings the wild turkeys out. I am not sure why they do this….maybe it uncovers food for them or provides cover noise. Regardless, I like it. My dad teases me about getting overly poetic when talking about these magnificent birds, so I’ll let Ben Franklin do it for me. Mr. Franklin felt that the chosen symbol of American freedom and our fledgling Nation, the Bald Eagle, was not as worthy a recipient of this honor as was the wild turkey. An excerpt from Ben Franklin’s letter reads:
“I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America . . . He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on.”
-Ben Frankilin (letter to daughter, late 1700’s)
Come visit us in Big Canoe! There are no longer any Grenadiers of the British Guard invading our farms, but the wild turkeys are still here for you to enjoy!
Topics: All Posts, Wildlife in Big Canoe |
