Nov. 23, 2022
Dear Members of the Baylor College of Medicine Community,
As promised, this week’s video is all about turkeys. Turkeys have a long history in our country. In fact, when the founding fathers were trying to decide on the national bird, Benjamin Franklin preferred the turkey to the bald eagle. He called the turkey a “much more respectable bird,” “a bird of courage,” and “a true original native of America.”
I have many more interesting facts about turkeys to share that will no doubt fascinate you and make for good conversation at the Thanksgiving Dinner table. Here are just a few:
- Turkeys have better vision than humans and can see about three times as far.
- Only male turkeys gobble, so that is why they are called “gobblers.” Females are called hens.
- Wild turkeys can fly; domesticated turkeys cannot.
- Turkeys can change the color of their heads, depending on how excited or calm they are.
- Americans will consume 1.4 billion pounds of turkey this Thanksgiving.
And, Lily has her own contribution to add to this week’s Thanksgiving video. She is prepared.
I hope you have a happy and relaxing holiday. Next week we will be back with an interview with a Baylor expert on influenza.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Paul Klotman, M.D.
President & CEO
Executive Dean
