Turkeys (can) fly!

[WuzzaCBXRider]

Here I was scootin along around 65 mph on a nice empty two lane when I thought an airliner was crashing in front of me. Turned out to be a turkey, that’s right, a turkey! A huge turkey, flying over my head at least 5-6’ above and just in front. About a mile later I saw a dozen or so walking across the road. This sucka was too big to hit so I’m glad he managed some altitude when he flew over. You know, they don’t look anything like they do in the supermarket…

 

[Bumblebee]

Here I was scootin along around 65 mph on a nice empty two lane when I thought an airliner was crashing in front of me. Turned out to be a turkey, that’s right, a turkey! A huge turkey, flying over my head at least 5-6’ above and just in front. About a mile later I saw a dozen or so walking across the road. This sucka was too big to hit so I’m glad he managed some altitude when he flew over. You know, they don’t look anything like they do in the supermarket…

Wild turkeys can fly but not high or far...

We get a lot of turkey vultures around here and they take a lot of real estate to get airborne...I recall one time I stopped as one was running in front of me flapping his wings trying to get lift......it took him a long time but up he want.......

 

[michael parris heuberger]

Wild turkeys can fly but not high or far...

We get a lot of turkey vultures around here and they take a lot of real estate to get airborne...I recall one time I stopped as one was running in front of me flapping his wings trying to get lift......it took him a long time but up he want.......

Hi. Yes I have seen them fly. They fly up into trees a night to be safe.

 

[WuzzaCBXRider]

Wild turkeys can fly but not high or far...

We get a lot of turkey vultures around here and they take a lot of real estate to get airborne...I recall one time I stopped as one was running in front of me flapping his wings trying to get lift......it took him a long time but up he want.......

Well, ‘high’ is relative. They’re not up there like eagles. I’ve seen them scurry in flight about 3-4’ above the ground before but never like this one did today, 5-6’ above me on the Honda crossing the road I was on.

 

[sixpack577]

Well, ‘high’ is relative. They’re not up there like eagles. I’ve seen them scurry in flight about 3-4’ above the ground before but never like this one did today, 5-6’ above me on the Honda crossing the road I was on.

View attachment 1694810

They fly into the treetops to roost at night, and here those trees are 80'-100' tall.
They aren't great flyers, and tend to walk, but they can get pretty high and fly alot further than most people think.
They also are creatures of habit, and will walk the same game trails and return to the same places on a regular schedule.
I've ducked a few on the roads, but they can really startle you in the woods.
If you ride up on them suddenly, then a dozen plus scatter running and flying, it's an instant blur in front of you, almost like the Predator, lol.

 

[Bumblebee]

Well, ‘high’ is relative. They’re not up there like eagles. I’ve seen them scurry in flight about 3-4’ above the ground before but never like this one did today, 5-6’ above me on the Honda crossing the road I was on.

View attachment 1694810

.....ahhh yes, WKRP in Cincinnati......a classic.....

Les Nessman and the "Buckeye News Hawk Award"

 

[Bumblebee]

They fly into the treetops to roost at night, and here those trees are 80'-100' tall.
They aren't great flyers, and tend to walk, but they can get pretty high and fly alot further than most people think.
They also are creatures of habit, and will walk the same game trails and return to the same places on a regular schedule.
I've ducked a few on the roads, but they can really startle you in the woods.
If you ride up on them suddenly, then a dozen plus scatter running and flying, it's an instant blur in front of you, almost like the Predator, lol.

One of my former colleagues was a fellow from Newfoundland who had never seen a wild turkey fly before and had a strong argument with me when I told him they could......

He was out on his motorcycle and one almost took his head off flying by him.....he had big eyes when he retold the story of his almost bird strike at speed...(well he rode a Harley so speed is a relative thing).

 

[michael parris heuberger]

One of my former colleagues was a fellow from Newfoundland who had never seen a wild turkey fly before and had a strong argument with me when I told him they could......

He was out on his motorcycle and one almost took his head off flying by him.....he had big eyes when he retold the story of his almost bird strike at speed...(well he rode a Harley so speed is a relative thing).

Hi. It is only wild turkeys that can fly.

 

[Blanca BusaLess]

You missed a free meal.