At a cursory 'first glance' you might think it is simply an immature cock bird, but it is clearly a mixed gender bird.
We have an old hen turkey where I hunt in Vermont with three beards, the longest of which is about 10". Everybody in the area has agreed not to shoot her.
Their X and Y chromosomes are pretty confused and give their bodies conflicting orders.
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__________________
"I'm a Setter man.
Not because I think they're better than the other breeds,
but because I'm a romantic - stuck on tradition - and to me, a Setter just "belongs" in the grouse picture."
George King, "That's Ruff", 2010 - a timeless classic.
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