Wild Turkey

Wikipedia Photo

WILD TURKEY

Meleagris gallopavo

Domestic turkey populations in several american states are being dramatically culled this year because of H5N1, H5N2 and H5N8 viruses.   There are also outbreaks in other parts of the world infecting both wild and domestic turkeys, as well as chickens.   The risk to people from these HPA1 H5 infections is considered low, but the destruction of entire flocks numbers in the millions.   When most people think of flu outbreaks in turkeys, they picture domestic factory-farm birds, such as those in the bottom picture (below).   The difference in appearance between wild (top picture) and factory-farmed turkeys is, to me, stunning.   I believe the appearance of the wild turkey to be as spectacular as any feathered creature in the skies or on the ground, if not without equivalence entirely.  

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BtheB