Turkeys, They Came So Close...

Ben Franklin wanted our national bird to be the turkey, not the eagle. Clearly, we all know the eagle won out, most likely for its majestic demeanor and untouchable stature. The turkey is a rather industrious bird, which captured the fancy of Mr. Franklin. In a letter to his daughter in 1784, he wrote,

I am, on this acccount, not displeas'd that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turk'y. For in truth, the Turk'y is in comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America.

This letter was written after Congress spent six years choosing the eagle as the emblem of the newly formed country. Big Ben never officially advocated the turkey's candidacy, nor did he ever officially oppose that of the Bald Eagle. He was probably more consumed with the small matter of running the country.

Imagine if the turkey had prevailed as national bird. Would it still be the preferred main course on Thanksgiving? Would it have swapped roles with the eagle? I don't know what eagle tastes like, but I estimate that it'd be a pricey delicacy only available for the saucy; I also know that turkey is plentiful and rather tasty. Me, I like the dark meat for 3 reasons. [1] it's moist/tender/tasty, [2] leftovers: when the white meat dries out, the dark meat still has a couple days, [3] at a family gathering, it's easy to throw some dark on the plate while everyone else is going for the white.

I think it worked out for the best. We enjoy the eagle, which can be seen in many coats of arms (Russia, Germany, Poland, Egypt, Austria, Nigeria, to name a few). Meanwhile, the turkey, well, it's Thanksgiving, you know its fate and symbolism. In the world's game of chance, the turkey drew a bum card. Still, I wonder what eagle tastes like.