Female Turkey at the Calgary Zoo

This breed of turkey is known as the wild turkey; it can be found across most of North America. They prefer mixed forest edges, bushy areas, river valleys, and farmland. They can run up to 40 km/h and have been known to fly in short bursts up to 90 km/h, so they can really move fast when they feel like it. They will roost in trees at night for safety, and they communicate with over 20 distinct vocalizations, not just gobbling. They are also surprisingly smart with an excellent memory and strong spatial awareness and have complex social hierarchies. Turkeys are also capable of recognizing individuals, including humans.