Turkey

Turkey is a feathered friend that is native to North America, but has been adopted by human beings all over the world who love to gobble gobble up their meat on Thanksgiving Day.

Etymology

The name “turkey” actually has nothing to do with the country “Turkey”. The origin of the name came from Christopher Columbus when he first discovered the bird in the Americas. He thought the bird was related to a type of guinea fowl that was imported to Europe through Turkey, and thus named it the “turkey fowl”. Later, the name was shortened to just “turkey”.

Appearance

Turkeys are known for their plump, round bodies, waddle-like walk, and magnificent plumage. The males are known as tom turkeys and can be recognized by their red wattles, spurs on their legs, and long, hanging snoods. Females, or hens, are smaller than the toms and have less colorful plumage.

Diet

Turkeys are fond of eating fruits, nuts, seeds, and insects. However, they are also known to go wild for breadcrumbs, corn, and stuffing.

Behavior

Turkeys are social birds and like to live in flocks. They also enjoy dancing - yes, dancing! Toms will often strut around in circles, puffing out their chests and fanning their tails to attract the attention of hens. This flamboyant display of dance moves is often referred to as the “turkey trot”.

Domestication

Turkeys have been domesticated for over 2,000 years. In fact, it was the ancient Aztecs who first tamed the bird and used them for their meat and feathers.

Thanksgiving

Every year, Americans celebrate Thanksgiving by roasting a turkey and serving it as the main course. It has become a tradition to make stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie to accompany the bird.

Conclusion

Turkeys may seem like strange and silly birds, but they are an important part of American culture and history. So let’s all give thanks for the turkey this Thanksgiving!