February 19, 2025

Mountain Moment: Wild Turkeys Fly Over Colorado Homestead 🦃

Living on a homestead means you get to experience moments that make you stop, stare, and occasionally drop your knitting needles. Today was no exception. I was in my craft room (deep in the zone, working on a new knitting pattern) when movement outside my window caught my eye. And no, it wasn’t a deer, a bear, or a wandering coyote. Nope, it was a flock of Colorado wild turkeys deciding it was time to show off their flight skills.

A flock of wild turkeys in Colorado, preparing to fly across a large gulley. Read more from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Wait… Do Turkeys Fly?

Yes, you heard that right. Wild turkeys fly. And they do it like they’re auditioning for Cirque du Soleil. If you’re still picturing them as the chunky, flightless butterballs of Thanksgiving fame, you are probably confusing them with their feral cousins. Our wild turkeys? They might hesitate to take flight, but when they need to cross a gulley or escape danger, they’ll startle you with their surprisingly skilled takeoff.

Fly, my friends! 💫🦃 #wildturkeys #wildlife #flyaway

Nothing gets the morning coffee going quite like discovering a tree full of turkeys, their silhouettes framed against a Colorado sunrise. Honestly, it’s the kind of moment that makes you double-check if you’re actually awake or just living in a dream.

What Wild Turkeys Eat: Piñon Nuts, Insects, and More

So, here’s a little turkey trivia for you: Wild turkeys are not lazy. They prefer foraging a healthy diet of piñon nuts, insects, and native plants (we’re talking gourmet-level sustenance here). They’re also great at cleaning up the forest floor, scratching away pine needles and spreading seeds like the woodland cleanup crew they were born to be. And yes, they’ve got the best seat in the house for all their gourmet meals; those pines make the perfect dinner table.

An adult male wild turkey wandering through the homestead, photo by Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Oh, and in case you didn’t know, they’re more than happy to raid my garden, too. You’ve never seen a turkey move so fast as when they spot a fresh batch of tomatoes or zucchini. They’ll swoop in, snatch up their prize, and leave nothing but a trail of feathers and empty plant pots behind. So yeah, they might be nature’s cleanup crew, but they’re also a little… too enthusiastic when it comes to homestead gardens.

Aside from flying, wild turkeys enjoy foraging for food and pilfering the homestead garden. Read more from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Turkey Roosting: A Masterclass in Strategy

As the sun sets, these wild aviators head for the tallest trees they can find, nestling in for the night. And trust me, watching a 20-pound bird navigate branches is just as entertaining as it sounds. These birds know exactly what they’re doing. They pick the safest spots, tucked away from predators, while making sure they’ve got the best view for breakfast. Goals, right?

Wild turkeys in Colorado can fly so high that they can roost in giant ponderosa pine trees. Read more from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Wild Turkeys Are Our Neighbors: Respecting Wildlife and Nature

Living out here in the Colorado mountains means sharing space with all kinds of wildlife, including these wild turkeys. They’re not just passing through; they’ve set up shop. And honestly, they’re more dependable neighbors than some humans I’ve encountered. 🤫 They’ve chosen this spot because it provides everything they need: natural habitat, food, and protection for their little ones. Maintaining these environments isn’t just good for the turkeys; it’s a win for the entire ecosystem.

A flock of wild turkeys in the valley during summer. Photo by Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

The Wild Turkey Aerial Show: A Reminder of Why I Chose Homesteading

It’s a quiet life here, where the hustle and bustle of cities feel a world away. So, when I see those wild turkeys take flight, it’s a reminder of why I chose this Colorado lifestyle. The sight of these prehistoric-looking birds (seriously, they look like feathered velociraptors doing parkour through the sky) soaring through the air fills me with awe. It’s a spectacular display of nature in motion.

Wild Turkeys in flight over a snowy Colorado gulley. Photo by Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

A Daily Rhythm: Wild Turkey Flyovers and Crafting Inspiration

From my craft table, where I design knitting patterns and film tutorials, any movement outside the window is a potential wildlife encounter. These turkey flyovers are a welcome interruption to the stillness. They’ve become as much a part of my daily routine as the sound of my knitting needles clicking away. And every now and then, I get lucky enough to share these moments with my community, proving that inspiration is everywhere – even in a tree full of wild turkeys in Colorado. 🌿