Those problem Teenagers
Teenage turkeys often are more aggressive and cantankerous than adult turkeys
It's funny, as reference for this page, I did a google search for teenage problems in humans. Surprisingly there is a lot of information about problem teenagers. Who would have guessed that?
While the turkey teen is not focused on piercings or cell phones; problems with the feathered teenagers are similar to those as young humans-as they grow into adults and struggle to find their place in the world or flock.
Note these two young Jakes.
The crimson face indicates that they are males, however as teens, their snoods are still not any larger than a hen turkey snood.
Teenage turkeys like people are concerned with their social status, as is the two jakes in the above photo.
They showed this concern by puffing up, throwing out a few verbal turkey growls and turning red. (I actually remember when my kids went through this phase)
Wing punching
Teenage turkey aggression (battle) follows the same pattern as adults.
The fight began with verbal insults (turkey style) then progressed to "Wing Punching"
The other teens are excited, but know they cannot yet jump into the rumble.
Lesser teens, not ready for battle are scared away with light wing punches.
"Get out of my way" (translation to Saxon English) so the combatants can focus on the real threats to their leadership and status.
When wing punching no longer scares the other bird- the fight morphs to grabbing a fleshing part of the head and twisting (T-Rex style)
Teenage intensity of the winning bird
"You talking to me?"
And the fighting causes a new jake to jump into the fray "I-can't-help-myself"
While the Wolfhounds guard the rest of the turkey flock
Back at the teenage rumble, three young jakes are now involved.
Fight fever is catching on! (Yep, I've caught the primate version a time or two)
"Oh no you don't!"
Fight fever (riot) catches on until this little hen decides to challenge her mother.
Nothing makes a turkey hen madder than a little teenager challenging her. This lasted about as long as it took for me to click a picture.
And then they were all wore out. Too tired to do anything but neck grips. Fight Over.
The teenage fight was only practice for adult status climbers where a fight may last for three days or more
Additional page of Turkey Fighting Pictures
And another page of Turkey Fighting Pictures
(I have a lot of Toms, & so a lot of fights
Wars of December (more turkey fighting)
Return HOME from Turkey Teenagers page
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Book One of Florida History:
Freedoms Quest Struggle for the Northern Frontier and lost tales of old Florida
Fiction & language warning.
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