Turkey Trots

Peter E.

February 6, 2010 - 12:34 PM

One of the many benefits to running in Eugene is the wildlife that is to be found all over the town. I've seen ground squirrels, deer, nutria, robins, osprey, and many other species while running, and this week I added another to the list: wild turkey.

My roommate Jeff and I ran through Hendricks Park twice this week, and on both occasions we were startled by turkeys (I think we were more taken aback than they were). These turkeys are definitely not shy to people, and I'm sure take advantage of people's gardens and the many chicken coops near the park; these were some pretty well fed birds. Nonetheless, I was curious to learn more about the birds: are they native? What do they eat? What kind of turkeys are they?

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I am continuing my sustainability studies this term, so I have recently gained a better appreciation for my Willamette Valley bioregion. A bioregion is essentially a region typically defined by a watershed that has unique physiographic and climatic limits with discernible but dynamic boundaries. The bioregion also includes cultures, and therefore history of humans, plants, animals, and soil are important to understanding humans' place in the region. Thus, I have found a stronger sense of place and community within the Willamette Valley because I'm beginning to reconsider human settlements and cities within the context of the natural environment. This conceptualization is outside of the modernist construct that often asserts an anthropocentric dominance over nature (i.e. extraction of resources, leveling of rainforest, no urban growth boundaries). At any rate, I've had these ideas floating in my consciousness, so that mixed with my natural inquisitiveness led me to learn more about these turkeys.

I did some research and learned that my Hendricks neighbors are Rio Grande wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia). Rio Grande Turkeys are native to the Plains States, but have been introduced to western states, including Oregon. They are visibly different from eastern varieties of the bird because they have longer legs. The Rio Grandes are also supposedly very "gregarious" (these certainly weren't people shy). Finally, I learned that they are opportunistic omnivores, and the majority of their diet is plant based (so they probably enjoy the many gardens around Hendricks).

In conclusion, this little research exercise has brought me a little bit closer to understanding my bioregion. My turkeys and I are not too dissimilar: neither of us are native to the bioregion, we're omnivores, gregarious, have long legs, and love Hendricks Park. I wonder how they are at blogging? Surely they could write a better post than rambling about turkeys for five paragraphs.