Meet Buddy - just an 'ornamental bird'

I'll bet a wishbone that you have seen and/or handled a turkey this week.

The National Turkey Foundation says that 88 percent of us Americans will tuck into a portion of that iconic bird as our main course on Thanksgiving Day.

But don't tell that to my new friend Buddy ... Buddy the turkey, that is.

Buddy will not be on the table tomorrow - or at least not roasted and on a platter, thank you very much.

His owner, Chock Banister of Portales, wouldn't think of it.

On the contrary, Banister said, "I hope Buddy survives several Thanksgivings."

I met Buddy a week or so ago in the flesh ... or would that be in the feather?

There was no turkey in sight when I pulled up to Banister's home on the north side of Portales, but within minutes, I was greeted by a picture-perfect specimen strutting his stuff.

"He was behind the bushes when y'all pulled up," Banister said. "He had to get out to see what's happening."

The ever-so-dashing Buddy is a Royal Palm. If he could read - and Banister swears that turkeys are very intelligent - he'd be relieved to know that the Wikipedia entry on his breed says he and his kin are "one of the few turkeys not primarily selected for meat production."

Instead, these flashy Royal Palm are "best known as an ornamental bird with a unique appearance, largely white with bands of metallic black," the entry reads.

Add to that a fetching personality and you have a great companion, according to Banister.

"I've got a pretty neat fellow," Banister said. "He follows me everywhere I go. He's as sweet as can be."

Buddy came to Banister from friends in Elida as but a youngster - he's a year and a half old now.

The strutting is a recent addition to his repertoire. It began, Banister said, when he got Buddy "a wife." (For the record, she lurked in the background for the entire interview and refused comment.) Banister hopes that "maybe come spring there will be some eggs."

Buddy and his shy bride are part of a gentle menagerie overseen by Banister, who describes himself as "sentimental" when it comes to his critters: turkeys, chickens, guineas, cats, horses, and a devoted rat terrier named Hannah.

It's a slow-paced life after decades on the road.

"I started driving a truck in 1959 with nothing," said Banister, who is now 85. "I tell people I've still got nearly all of it."

These days, "I trade a lot of chickens," he said. He's been asked what it would take to purchase Buddy. "I said a thousand dollars. But if somebody actually offered it, I wouldn't take it."

What's on the Banister Thanksgiving menu?

"Some of the kids would likely fix a turkey," Banister said, "but I don't care for eating turkey at all."

Most especially not Buddy.

This handsome fowl has, however, been known to sneak into the house if the door gets left open, so he could ... could ... be on the Thanksgiving table tomorrow.

But only long enough to be admired.

Betty Williamson wishes Buddy (and all of you) a happy Thanksgiving. Reach her at:

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