WASHINGTON – Barack Obama spared Wednesday the life of Courage the turkey, who avoided ending up on the president's Thanksgiving dinner plate only because of the intervention of the First Daughters.

"There are certain days that remind me of why I ran for this office," Obama joked as he honored the festive tradition. "And then there are moments like this when I pardon a turkey and send it to Disneyland."

"Today, I am pleased to announce that thanks to the interventions of Malia and Sasha, because I was planning to eat this sucker, 'Courage' will also be spared this terrible and delicious fate."

With his daughters looking on, Obama announced Courage would be moving to Disneyland to "live out the rest of his days in peace and tranquility" after serving as grand marshal at the amusement park's Thanksgiving Day parade.

"That's a good-lookin' bird," he said, glancing over at the white-plumed turkey who weighed in at 45 pounds (20 kilograms).

Obama explained that the origin of the bizarre ritual dated from when John F. Kennedy was presented with a Thanksgiving turkey with a message around its neck saying, "Good Eatin', Mr. President."

Kennedy spared the bird, and while US leaders have approached the ritual differently, Obama pointed out it was president George Bush 20 years ago who formalized the tradition.