I had heard that Benjamin Franklin had been unhappy with choice of the bald eagle as our national bird, and would have preferred the wild turkey to be our symbol. According to Wikipedia while Franklin objected to the eagle, he did not specifically advocate for the turkey. From that article, here is an excerpt from a letter that Franklin wrote to his daughter in 1784:
- For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him.
- With all this Injustice, he is never in good Case but like those among Men who live by Sharping & Robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank Coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the District. He is therefore by no means a proper Emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our Country . . .
- I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America . . . He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on.
NPR recently reported on Bostonians battling wild turkeys. Homeowners spotted turkeys in their yards, then groups started roaming the streets, attacking children and joggers. One woman reported being attacked by a turkey who went after her beating his wings and attacking with his talons. She kicked him in the chest, and escaped to a neighbor's house.
They have been appearing all over the country where acorns and nuts drop from trees. The turkey's appear to see humans as other turkeys and attempt to establish dominance. They also hang around back yards, leaving droppings that only 20 to 30 pound birds can leave.
Hmmm. Maybe we'd better stick with bald eagles.
[Image from Wild Turkey Hunting Network]
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