http://www.sciencefriday.com
With its fanned plumage and bold strut, a male wild turkey's display conjures images of Americana and festive feasts. But this grandstanding isn't intended for human eyes - it's for female turkeys who actually use it to discern a male's genetic prowess. How exactly she parses his performance to pick her suitor can be a fairly complex enterprise but thanks to the research of Dr. Richard Buchholz of the University of Mississippi, we have some clues as to what a female turkey finds "hot" in a male.
Produced by Luke Groskin
Footage ands Stills Provided by
Pronghorn Productions - www.pronghornproductions.comRichard Buchholz, Ph.d.
Pond5,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Sgt. White Knight YT User (C.C. 3.0)
"Light Curve on the Road" (C.C. 3.0)
Music by Audio Network, Ponchielli, "Dance of the Hours"