Frank's Senior News

All about turkeys

By Grandpa Gildersnickle

Americans have enjoyed the turkey as a bird of feast for centuries and since the time of our first settlers. Here are some facts you may not know. As we near Thanksgiving and the Holidays you might enjoy passing on some little bits of knowledge about the turkey.

The turkey is a splendid bird in its wild state. There are many areas of the United States where the wild turkeys are prevalent and where they are hunted in season. The turkey is of the family of Galiformes and the order of Melegridadae. The two most prevalent wild varieties are the North American Turkey, which is found in the continental U.S. and the Oscillated Turkey which is found in the lowlands of tropical Yucatan Peninsula and in adjacent portions of Guatemala.

The turkeys you see packaged in the stores are descendants of the wild turkeys. They are hybrids. They have been bred for our use and as a dinner item. They are raised on turkey farms. There are several turkey farms in SW Washington State. Large commercial operations are located in the Southern United States as well.

Wild turkeys are known for their intelligence. They are very cunning in the wild even to this day. They eat nuts, seeds, grasses, wild fruits and insects. They roost high in trees.

They are known for their unique gobbling sounds and for their noble strutting which is almost dance-like.

In the colonial days and at the time America was formed, it is said that Benjamin Franklin one of our most famous founding fathers wanted to have the turkey as our national bird rather than the American Eagle. So just think… it could have been the Grand American Turkey!

So now children we now have a poem for you enjoy. It is about this grand turkey bird!

(Grandpa Gildersnickle is also known as Frank Ryan)

The Tiptoe Turkey

By Frank F. Ryan 1992

Oodle Oodle Oodle said the turkey his head zipped fore and back,

his feathers spread so splendidly as he crept along on solid track.

Behold the wondrous turkey!

“Oodle, Oodle, Oodle” said the proud bird one fine day.

And lo, I watched him very cautiously as he went up on his jaded way.

Admire that tiptoe turkey

The proud bird I did espy, was big and strong and fair.

Strutting, gobbling so very modestly, I in awestruck wonder there.

Gobble, gobble, gobble

I thought the turkey, stupid and dull, just a dinner bird merely for fine food fare.

only to be eaten and regarded without a single care

Don’ get caught in yonder snare. See that turkey there?

Now my great- grandpa hunted this bird, with snare, musket ball, and trap.
He, stalk until he saw one, then his musket would loudly rap.

Look out! You tiptoe turkey

Ah ha! The cunning turkey, outsmarted poor old grandpa

He’d shoot and shoot his giant gun through out most every draw

Fly high, you tiptoe turkey.

Then Gramps would finally get a prize, a beautiful feathered fowl.

A solid 18 pounds or so, oh my Gramps would shout a howl.

A tasty tiptoe turkey dinner.

Now as you munch your celery, and eat red cranberry gel.

Remember the tiptoe turkey,

Remember him and well.  Admire the tiptoe turkey

If eagles had switched places and turkeys were on seals n’ flags,

we’d now be eating eagle dinner on turkey we would gag.

Cheer the wondrous turkey!

Behold the tiptoe turkey for thankful we should be.

Remember this US bird American nobility.

Oodle, Oodle, Oodle.

Sing the turkey song now, recall the fowl so grand

admire the lurking turkey, three cheers strike up the band.

the turkey our forest friend

Turkey we will not forget you, proud feathered be-speckled guard

this last word we give you  Oh turkey, You’re our best ‘pard.

Oodle, oodle, oodle, dear children, don’t forget your friend

eat your turkey, and put your pajamas on. Soon the sandman will descend.

. Original Copyright 1992 Lewis Co. News