During the breeding season just the males in my yard display the tail feathers - the females hang around as usual, although sometimes the feathers on their backs look a bit ruffled.

A few years ago two hens showed up with about a dozen babies and the two of them started an elaborate display. I think they saw I was watching them; I don't know if it was a warning or just showing off the babies. I haven't seen this again.

Female turkeys with display

Claire

Great photos, Claire. Thanks for posting them. I guess that means I could have seen a female with her nine grown children.

My next-door neighbors had a female nest in their backyard two years ago. Alas, the young turkeys were picked off one by one by hawks over a period of about six weeks. So I was surprised to see the size of this flock.

Ginny: Did the turkey in display have a blue face? That would be a tom. This time of year I'd expect that you saw one tom and 9 hens.

This year I had two toms displaying with a harem of hens. The two were almost inseparable but I think they chased away all of the juvenile males.

Claire

Here's a tom in his glory. The hens don't turn these colors.

Claire

I couldn't see well enough to tell about the face. Great photos, Claire. I think you are right--a male and nine lady friends. It really was thrilling to see--good way to start off Patriot's Day by seeing what Ben Franklin thought should be our national symbol.