Turkey (bird)

V

Reproduction

During the breeding season in the early spring, male wild turkeys establish territories and try to collect a group of four to six hens to mate with. The males put on elaborate strutting displays. They raise their tail feathers in a vertical fan and drag their wing-tips on the ground. They vocalize, making a loud “gobbling” that can be heard up to a mile away. They will also fight with other males, using curved spurs on their lower legs.

The hens build nests from dried leaves and grasses in concealed places on the ground. They lay from 8 to 18 creamy white eggs with red-brown speckles in a clutch (group) and incubate them for 25 to 31 days. When the chicks (or poults) hatch, they can walk and follow their mothers for protection. The male poults leave their mothers in the fall. Female poults will stay with their mothers until the following spring. The adult male takes no part in raising the young.

VI

Domestication

Peoples in Mexico domesticated the local wild turkey as early as 2,500 years ago. The bird was important to the Aztecs as a source of food and feathers. When the Spanish conquered the region in the 16th century, they brought the turkey back to Europe. The large bird quickly became a welcome addition to other types of domestic poultry. The English name “turkey” is said to come from the name of the country Turkey, supposedly from confusion about the bird's place of origin.

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Early North American colonists interbred wild turkeys with domestic stock brought from England. Some common modern breeds of domestic turkey in the United States are the Bronze, Narragansett, White Holland, and Bourbon Red. About 250 million turkeys are raised each year in the United States, with Minnesota, North Carolina, and Arkansas leading in production (see Poultry Farming). Domestic turkey production has grown steadily and turkey products are now available year round. Turkey is leaner than beef or pork, and has been used to make hot dogs, sausage, and ham.

The modern domestic turkey has been bred to provide extra amounts of white breast meat and to put on weight rapidly. As a result, domestic turkeys can no longer fly and adult males are too cumbersome to mate with females. Females must be artificially inseminated. Domestic turkey chicks also need to be taught to eat.

VII

American Traditions

The turkey is the icon of the American Thanksgiving holiday as the main dish served for the meal. Wild turkey was reportedly on the menu at the first Thanksgiving held by the Pilgrims in 1621, along with venison and fish. The special association of turkey with Thanksgiving was firmly established by the early 20th century.

Founding Father and scientist Ben Franklin favored the wild turkey over the bald eagle for the national bird of the United States but failed to persuade other members of the Second Continental Congress. He explained in a letter to his daughter: “For the truth the turkey is in comparison a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original native of America.”

Scientific classification: Turkeys belong to the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes. They are sometimes placed in a separate family, Meleagrididae. The wild turkey is classified as Meleagris gallopavo, with six subspecies found in different regions. The ocellated turkey is classified as Agriocharis ocellata or sometimes as Meleagris ocellata.

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