12.10. Meleagris gallopavo: Wild Turkey http://www.ck12.org
Evolution
Most scientists think birds evolved from bipedal and/or theropod dinosaurs. Wings may have come from a bird
ancestor that was living in trees and leapt into the air to avoid predators or to capture prey. The bird ancestor
Deinonychusevolved about eleven million years ago in North America.
Ecology
Raccoons, opossums, striped skunks, grey foxes, birds, woodchucks, rodents, spotted skunks, bobcats, rat snakes,
bull snakes, coyotes, mountain lions, golden eagles, great horned owls, and humans eat the wild turkey. The wild
turkey is an omnivore but eats mostly plants. Wild turkeys eat acorns, nuts, and various trees.
Anatomy and Physiology
Birds are two-legged vertebrates and are a form of reptile that evolved from bipedal/theropod dinosaurs (see evo-
lution section). All birds have four-chambered hearts in which both the atrium and ventricle are divided. They
also have two respiration cycles instead of one (which mammals have). Both respiration cycles happen at the same
time. Birds have remiges (wing feathers) and rectrices (tail feathers). They are used for both mating display and
flight. Birds have special skeletal modifications for flight. They have hollow bones which reduce frame weight. This
feature has developed most in larger birds, such as the wild turkey.
Behavior
An adult turkey is aggressive in self-defense. The wild turkey can fly/glide at 60 miles per hour. They roost in trees
at night for shelter and they sometimes walk along forest roads and look for food. They do not migrate.
References
- http://www.ck12.org/biology/Bird-Evolution/lesson/Bird-Evolution/#
- http://www.eol.org
- http://www.naturebytesvideo.com
- Sibley, David. The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America. New York: Knopf, 2003. Print.
- Bailey, Dave. "What Is a Bird?" San Diego: Mission Trails Regional Park Trail Guide Training Program,
2008.
Attribution
Authors
- Roan Woolley
- Jacob Felix Solomon
- Drake Matthew Borman