Thanksgiving in Tampa Bay - Wild Turkeys are at large

Those two could be roaming in your backyard - that is, if you live a bit rural in the South and Central of Florida.

What you see here is the Wild Florida Turkey, also named after the Seminole Chief "Osceola" Turkey and there are thought to be 80 to 100,000 of these in the scrubs, palmettos and swamps here in Florida.

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They are the smallest of the subspecies and weigh only up to 18 pounds when mature, which probably accounts for the large number of predators, which like to gobble up these birds...

The diet of the Wild Florida Turkey includes fruits, nuts and grains such as grapes, beautyberries, blackberries, seeds, acorns, corn and wheat.  They’ll also eat bugs and insects like grasshoppers and beetles and occasionally even eat small lizards and frogs.

I was surprised to find out, how many predators are hunting these birds (and the alligator isn´t even among them!):

Bobcats, raccoons, skunks, possums, coyotes, armadillos, crows, owls, hawks, eagles, and snakes are known to eat both eggs and turkeys alike. 

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But even with the pressure from all the predators, the turkeys continue to thrive in part of being highly productive. 

(Read the whole article on http://www.rural-florida-living.com/2013/03/the-florida-wild-or-osceola-turkey.html)

So, when you eat your turkey on Thanksgiving this year, you will have peace of mind to know, that the turkey you roast, was bred to be eaten and there are still thousands out there which will stay where they are, living wild and free ;-)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mauricio Munoz
- Owner -
Office: (813) 991-7243

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