Expert: Walter Hintz - 12/16/2006

Question
Can you possibly give me a brief explanation on why ducks/geese fly south for the winter and turkeys, pheasants, and other birds cannot.  Does it have something to do with the muscle in the breast-white meat and dark meat?  Thank you for your time.

Answer
 Hi Kate
The simple explanation is that bird migration is part of the instinctive behavior controlled by the genetic makeup.. The practical reason the birds you mention do not migrate is their anatomical structure prohibits it.  Turkeys simply cannot fly more then a few meters so yes the white meat(muscle) does not have sufficient blood supply.