Farms: TYPES OF TURKEY
I am sure that many of my brothers from @steemchurch today will talk about turkeys but I would like us to learn together about how turkeys are and how many types of turkeys exist or at least know about some types.
The turkey is a bird known throughout the world, both for its particular beauty and the value of its meat. They arrived in Europe only in the fifteenth century, after the discovery of the American continent by the Spanish. Next, we will see what types of turkey exist and we will know their main characteristics.
We use the term 'turkey' to popularly call diverse species similar in appearance and behavior, but there are differences within the species.
The turkeys belong to the gallinaceous family and are related to pheasants, chickens, partridges and quail. The scrub turkey is an exception, since it belongs to the megapod family. Like his relatives, the turkey stands out more for his speed of race than for his ability to fly.
They are birds of great size and colorful plumage, whose long tail opens very similar to a fan. This peculiar feature is, in fact, a mating ritual that males use to attract females.
In their natural habitat, turkeys maintain an omnivorous diet, based mainly on the consumption of grains and small insects. In captivity they are usually fed with feeds high in protein and fat, which provide rapid fattening.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALE TURKEY
The turkeys present a great sexual dimorphism, that is, males and females are remarkably different from each other. The males are larger, weighing up to 40 kilograms in adulthood. Its body can exceed one meter in height, with wingspan between one and a half meters and two meters.
The males show a striking red dewlap just below their beak, which usually measures between eight and ten centimeters. This dewlap connects with the bottom of the beak, which gives them a peculiar appearance typical of this species.
The females usually reach a maximum body weight of 25 kilos when completing their development. They also have a double chin, popularly known as 'mucus', but smaller and less striking if compared to the males.
What types of turkey are there
Common turkey
The common turkey, scientifically named Meleagris gallopavo, has a mostly dark plumage with possible reddish reflections. Its appearance is much more modest than that of the other species; They are native to North America, where they live mainly in the forests.
The males show a naked reddish neck and wings with a striking shade of dark gray; the females have more opaque colors. Both sexes have small carnosities called caruncles in their head.
Scrub turkey (Alectura lathami)
The turkey of scrub presents sexual dimorphism little accentuated, since males and females have very similar sizes. The males differ by the long and bright yellow barbels that hang from their neck.
They are large birds, with plumage in black and blue and breast in grayish tones; the head and neck show few feathers in different reddish tones. They are the only native turkeys in Australia, considered a primitive species by many specialists.
Common peacock
It is the largest and most robust species of the gallinaceous family, although it has an important sexual dimorphism. The males can weigh 30 to 40 kilos, while the females have an average weight of 20 kilos. They inhabit Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka, mainly in forests and savannas.
The male specimens exhibit a metallic blue head, with plumage in bluish tones lighter and brighter. Their feathers are long and adorned by beautiful ocelli. Also highlights the white stripe under your eyes, and a small line at the top.
Peacock cuelliverde (Pavo muticus)
This species is very similar to the peacock, but it exhibits a colorful crest spiked on its head; They are native to Southeast Asia. Males and females have similar sizes, although only males have a fan-shaped tail decorated in shades of copper and dark blue.
Peacock of the Congo (Afropavo congensis)
Another type of turkey, endemic to the African Congo, is less striking than its real relatives; the males offer beautiful shades of blue, green and violet throughout their plumage. His neck is almost always bald with a naturally reddish color. The females are somewhat smaller than the males and do not possess the famous fantail.