Forget the flesh, just bring me wine! (to paraphrase King Wenceslas). To most people, turkeys are a joke. The very word is a term of abuse. But there's a lot more to turkeys that most of us realise.
Wild turkeys are still found in the Americas where they live in small groups in open forest. Their vocabulary is complicated, with different calls to let other birds know about dangers or else that all is well; to communicate contentment; or to warn when they are flying over water.
Running at speeds of up to 20mph, they are capable of bursting into flight, approaching speeds between 50-55mph in a matter of seconds. Nesting in trees, females stay with their eggs until they hatch, and never abandon either eggs or chicks if predators approach.
When hunger forces birds to leave the nest, they display great caution, never returning twice by the same route.
Once the eggs are hatched, mother turkeys continue to take loving care of their brood.
Do you really want to stick such an amazing bird in an oven?
The good news is you don't have to. Contact Animal Aid for a free Cruelty Free Christmas Pack, stuffed with delicious alternative recipes and gift ideas everything from champagne to chocolate truffles.
Just telephone our Christmas Hotline (01732) 354032. Or write to us at Animal Aid, The Old Chapel, Bradford Street, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1AW.
KAY HOLDER
Vegetarian Campaigner
Animal Aid.
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