Welcome to Week #24 of the Bird Weekly Photo Challenge. Week #24 challenge gives way to birds that are hunted or consumed by humans.
The feature image shows a couple of wild turkeys grazing at Salt Springs along the road leading to the boat ramp in Fort McCoy, Florida which is inside the Ocala National Forest. Next Thursday, November 26th is the day we celebrate Thanksgiving. While I’m not a vegetarian, my diet is about 85% vegetarian. Not because of how I feel about birds, but because I haven’t been able to consume chicken or pork (minus bacon) since I had my gallbladder out seven years ago. It doesn’t smell or taste good to me. Many weird things happened after that surgery. My taste buds totally whacked out. For example, I didn’t like avocados or guacamole. Now it is one of my favorite foods. Since we only eat turkey once per year in my house, I can force myself to eat a bit of it with some cornbread stuffing and gravy. I hope many of you are vigilant about gatherings and social distancing. Frank & I normally travel and go birding during this time, but it is not on the agenda this year. No flights, no family gatherings. My daughter & her boyfriend may come over, but it will not be typical. We will still be thankful for what we have and that no one in our immediate family has been infected. STAY SAFE EVERYONE!
Birds are hunted for sport and for eating. While my opinion is exceptionally one-sided, I do not condone the killing of birds for sport. I know that it is necessary to thin species out like big wild game such as deer and elk, but I don’t see the point of it unless it is to put food on the table. Many of our favorite edibles are farm raised. For many years, these birds have been kept in small quarters and not allowed to graze and be happy birds. In the last few decades, awareness has shown new trends of “grass fed”, “organic fed” “no hormones or antibiotics” and “happy free range” which indicates these birds have a happy life while they are here. It keeps them from being stressed out and makes our food a lot tastier.
Sorry this is blurry. It is a photo (yes actual printed photo) from when I was shooting film. Couldn’t find the negatives. Took a photo with my IPhone. Best I could get. These two started sparring after I took the shot. The shot with my Nikon, not a gun. It was such a great memory, I had to share it.
I saved this long-legged bird for this week in honor of Thanksgiving. They are large plump birds that can be 43.3-45.3 inches tall (110-115 cm). They are best known for their gobble. They travel in flocks and their diet consists of nuts, berries, insects and snails they forage on the ground. They live in mature forests but can be seen on the edge of forests and along roads. They were hunted in excess, but have been reintroduced to habitat and are thriving once again. Every state has a “turkey season” for hunters. They receive a quota and cannot kill more than they are alloted.
8…9…10…Ready or Not, here I come? Are you hiding behind the tree? Peek-a-boo I see you!
Sandhill Cranes are hunted in portions of Colorado, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming. These states are all in the Central Flyway. Nebraska is the only state in this migratory route that doesn’t have a Sandhill Crane sport hunting season. In Alabama, hunting season has come back but residents are only allowed to kill three per permit. It is said that these birds taste like pork chops.
The Northern Bobwhite has been on the decline and the Masked Bobwhite is extinct in Arizona and on the endangered list in Mexico. This guy is native to Canada, the United States, Mexico and Cuba. Northern Bobwhites have been introduced in the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. It is member of the group species called New World quails. They are distinguished by their bob-white whistle. Their buff colors often camouflage them to their surroundings. If we hadn’t heard this one and two others in nearby trees, we would have never spotted it. It was at the entrance to Okefenokee Wildlife Management Area.
Gambel’s Quail are ground-huggers that would rather run than fly. They are fast too! They are found in desert climates in the western part of the United States and Mexico. Both the male and female sport the forward-facing crest that is shaped like a comma, however the male has the distinguished black face. This quail is hard to hunt because of its habitat for the human and/or hunting dogs. A lot of cacti, thorny mesquite trees and venomous snakes make it a difficult task. Not to mention, hunters prefer to shoot birds that fly and the Gambel’s Quail prefers not to do that.
Just an example of how different states work for limiting the hunting of certain birds at certain times.
Duck is a delicacy in the culinary world. I’ve never eaten duck and never intend to. They are fatty and just don’t whet my appetite. I mean look at that face! The Mallard is a dabbling duck and is the ancestor to nearly all domestic ducks except the Muscovy Duck.
The American Coot swims like a duck and looks similar to one, however they don’t have webbed feet. They can be found by the thousands with other waterfowl. They call North America, Central America and Northern South America home. You can find them all over the Caribbean Islands as well.
Canada Geese have expanded their range in recent years. We have been seeing more of this species in Florida than ever before. They are now on the list of birds that can be hunted in Florida. A full list can be found at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission here.
The colonel at Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has made a living off of fried chicken. Not only do we eat chickens, but their eggs are a great source of protein as well. The Washington Post reported in April, 2019, that Americans are eating approximately 279 eggs per person per year. That’s a lot of eggs! It may be higher now with the pandemic because more people are home cooking. Chicken eggs are the most prevalent, but quail eggs are becoming more popular by professional chefs.
Upcoming challenges can be found on my Bird Weekly Challenge Page.
Until next week…Week #24 – Birds hunted or consumed
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A lovely introduction. It came as a surprise just how much hunting and shooting of wild birds obviously goes on in the USA. Here in the UK, “game” birds such as pheasants, partridge and grouse are bred by employed Gamekeepers in huge numbers on large estates owned by the wealthy aristocracy and then released specifically so that rich people can come and spend a day or more shooting them in the wild. It’s a very expensive ‘hobby’. Many Gamekeepers, as well as a few disreputable people, illegally shoot raptors (birds of prey) in these areas because they sometimes take “game” birds. Wood Pigeons, which are naturally wild and prolific breeders, are also shot.
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I especially love the cranes. Awful that βhuntersβ are allowed to kill 3 per permit! . I had to edit my post this week, to avoid getting on my high horse. I totally share your one-sided opinion. Shoot only with a camera. Stay safe.
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I love those cranes too! I was heartbroken to hear that they opened up Sandhill Crane season. There are so many other birds that are on the hunting list that I wasn’t aware of like Mergansers. I didn’t even want to put my pics up of those and talk about that. Again, if it is to put food on the table, I’m good with it. π
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Great photos of these birds…some I have never seen before . Here is my entry.
https://100countrytrek.com/2020/11/19/thursday-doors-november-19-2020-tin-people-having-a-coffee-break/
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Opps..made a mistake π
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It’s all good. Just thought I’d let you know. I’ve done the exact same thing before and always appreciate the feedback letting me know. π
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Your turkey photos are perfectly timed for this Thanksgiving week! I never knew anyone ate sandhill cranes.
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I actually planned it that way. Just like I planned black feathered birds just before Halloween. LOL! The rest are random to whatever I feel at the time. π I didn’t know sandhill cranes were even hunted until this year. π
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Pingback: Bird Weekly – Photo Challenge – Hunted or consumed by humans | nowathome
https://nowathome.wordpress.com/2020/11/21/bird-weekly-photo-challenge-hunted-or-consumed-by-humans/
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What a nice array of turkeys and other game birds, Lisa! We get quite a few suburban turkey visitors (I’ll share one in tomorrow’s post) in our neighborhood. That is a gorgeous mallard, I love ducks, but not for eating, either. My dog Brodie was bred to hunt waterfowl, so when we are out walking, he gets alert when the suburban turkeys walk by!
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Thanks Terri! I bet Brodie points when they get close. Heaven will get into a pointer stance when she sees something. Itβs funny since she is a bichon. π
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Lots of great bird photos Lisa. Here is mine for the week
https://norasphotos4u.wordpress.com/2020/11/22/bird-weekly-24/
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Thank you Nora! π
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I see we think alike about hunting. Here are my pics this week. Love that Bobwhite
https://dailymusing57.com/2020/11/24/bird-weekly-photo-challenge-hunted-birds/
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We absolutely do. I’ve been trying to reply to your Bird Weekly post and it wants me to fill in my email, name and url. Tried to do that & it won’t take it. It looked glitchy. Just thought you should know. I loved your pics! π
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Pingback: Turkeys, Thanksgiving, and Giving Thanks – Wandering Dawgs
Here are some wild turkeys for the challenge https://wanderingdawgs.com/2020/11/24/turkeys-thanksgiving-and-giving-thanks/
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Great photos and info as always… I didn’t have any for this one but https://myheart2heart.blog/2020/11/25/hope-today-isnt-my-last/
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Thanks Rita! π
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