Courtship Display - Wild Turkey Long Sleeve T-Shirt

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photographs bird photos spring photos nature photos turkey photos turkeys photos wild turkey photos woods photos poultry photos meleagris photos midwest photos gallopavo photos tom photos phasianidae photos nebraska photos douglas county photos

A male turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) most commonly displays or struts in the spring mating season. This ritual is more complex than one might think. The tom drops his wings, allowing the feathers to touch the ground. He hold his tail up and fans its feathers. He also contracts muscles located at the base of each feather to cause his back and breast feathers to stand out from his body, making him look larger. The gobbler draws its head and neck down and in, forming an "S" shape, and elongates the snood or fleshy protuberance above its bill - often so much so that it hangs down and covers the bill as it does here.
I photographed this fine fellow in eastern Nebraska in late spring.
Background textures from Daily Texture.

Features: A Woman's Touch

I use my camera to explore the world around me and as a basis for creative expression. Because I live in Nebraska, I have a fondness for rural scenes that will be evident as you explore my images, but I enjoy traveling and have many other interests as well. I hope you enjoy your visit. All photographs and images in this portfolio are copyrighted and owned by the artist, Nikolyn McDonald. All rights reserved. Copying and/or distributing these images without my permission is strictly prohibited. You can contact me using this site's e-mail feature. You are invited to like my Facebook page.