First and foremost, I want to wish all of my faithful readers and bloggers in the United States, a Happy Thanksgiving Day. For you who live all of those other 116 countries, please have a Happy Day.
In my post about the Eastern and Spotted Towhees, check out this AOU link. The American Ornithologists Union is the official authority about classifications of birds. The are responsible for the renaming of the species as they see fit. As I was saying in that post, the two above species were once one, the Rufous-sided Towhee.
Another bird that causes similar confusion is the Tufted Titmouse, or the Black-crested Titmouse that is found here in the western United States. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology says on it’s AllAboutBirds website, “The Black-crested Titmouse of Texas and Mexico has at times been considered just a form of the Tufted Titmouse. The two species hybridize where they meet, but the hybrid zone is narrow and stable over time. They differ slightly in the quality of their calls, and show genetic differences as well.”
I would have liked to have had a nice photograph of a tom turkey, posed in it’s strutting position, with all of those tail feathers spread out, but I only have one it it’s normal pose. Well, okay, I lied. I do have one in the mating pose, but the light was bad and it isn’t as great as I would have liked. I’ll show you both.
Wild Turkey - male strutting
Wild Turkey - male
Now, how about a little turkey humor to give you a little chuckle. You all know about Chicken Little and her sky is falling tale. Well, Mrs. Turkey Little was walking along and she saw a man dropping from the sky in a parachute. She yells, “This guy is falling, this guy is falling!!” 🙂
Okay, I know you’re saying, “Bob, where in the heck do you come up with this stuff?” Heck, I don’t know. My imagination partly, and partly stealing jokes from other people. But I do know that if you smile, you will live longer. 🙂
So keep on smiling along with me, and we’ll be blogging for many years to come. 🙂
Texas Tweeties by Bob Zeller 
Hi Bob – This is a bit late – not being from the USA and not really having a clue what Thanksgiving Day actually is – however, it sounds like a great celebration and family day and I send you belated Thanksgiving Day wishes and hope you had a super day! Thanks, also, for the e-mail and I have sent you a short one in return. Your sense of humour sounds very like mine and I don’t think the joke is lame at all! Ha! Ha – and Yum! Yum! Turkey Dinner and Christmas coming!
Take care
John
Thanksgiving Day is a celebration of when the original colonists set aside a day to be thankful for arriving to the new world, about 400 years ago. I must admit, I don’t remember when the actual date was when it started. Anyway, during that feast, suppossedly the colonists invited the native Indians and they all made peace together, and ate a lot turkey. 🙂 Not a good description, but the best I can do. 🙂
Thanks, John, for writing.
There you go. You did it again!
I don’t think I’ve told you how much I like your header image as well. It’s a wonderful panorama and that leaking cloud it just superb!
Did what again?? Left you with a smile?? I hope so. 🙂
Thanks again for your kind words, Cindy. I really appreciate what you have to say.
Ba-dum-da! Thought you needed a little drumbeat after your very silly joke! But it did make me smile. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving day.
I didn’t know that fact about the tufted titmouse. Would the plural of those birds be tufted titmice? 😉
I thought you might get a chuckle. 🙂
Actually, the plural of titmouse, is titmouses. 🙂
Thanks for commenting, Karen.
🙂 Thanks Bob!
You’re welcome. The pleasure is all mine.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Ann!!
Thanks, Shelly, and the same to you and Eric. 🙂
Hello Bob,
Jerita and I hope yhall have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!
I liked your turkey pictures very much. Also….your lame chicken joke. 🙂
We look forward to seeing you both sometime in the near future. We are with our kids inFredonia,N.Y. Andwill go to Cleveland on Sunday morning for our Monday appointment.
see you soon!
What?? You’e not impressed with my humor?? 🙂
Thanks, Johnny, good luck with your doctor and we’re looking forward to seeing you soon. Have a happy turkey day.
Bob
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Ann, Bob! 🙂
Thanks, Katie, and the same to you and yours. 🙂
I laughed too..God Bless you both and have a wonderful day..we do have so very much to be thankful for..Syl and Lee (ps) having only painted two turkeys, trust me they are not what you call cost effective..all the feathers are barred..they are a tough bird to do..your photos are so good
Thanks so much, Syl. They’re tough to photograph, too. 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family Bob! I laughed out loud at Mrs Turkey Little…it is good to have humor in our lives. All the best!
Glad you liked my weird sense of humor, David. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving to you, too, Bob.
Thanks so much, Bruce.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Thank you for sharing the beautiful Toms.
Thank you so much, Katherine, and Happy Thanksgiving to you, too. 🙂
Bob, I like your philosophy of life, with a bit of humor and a smile on your face you can live forever! I vote for that! 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving Day!
Thank you so much, H.J.
Bob… We are thankful that you and Ann entered our lives in the last year. Your kindness and generosity are unmatched, your friendship, priceless. I hope this day is filled with nothing but great things (and turkey) for you two. God bless you.
With love & admiration,
Toby, Heather, Issy and Bailey
Well, holy cow, what a nice, touching comment. Ann and I appreciate all of your thoughts, so generously put. Thank you very much, Toby.
Love to you guys, too.
Bob and Ann