Information About the Turkey Bird

Wild turkeys are large birds native to North America.

Turkeys have made a large impression on both American diets and society. These large birds are a holiday mascot, kitchen staple, and a popular icon in modern culture, symbolizing autumn and early American history. Children and adults alike will be eager to learn about the lives and history of turkeys both as a wild bird and a farmer's prized poultry product.

Discovery

The Aztecs domesticated turkeys between 10 B.C. and 10 A.D., when the birds first began being used for their meat and feathers. Turkeys are indigenous to the Americas. Europeans discovered the taste of turkey when explorers, such as Hernán Cortés and Christopher Columbus, brought the birds across the Atlantic Ocean to their own people. Turkey quickly gained popularity and replaced the usual fowls of choice, pheasants or peacocks.

History

Debate surrounds how the American term "Turkey" originated. Some say that the Native Americans called turkeys "firkees," which evolved into its current name. Others say Christopher Columbus was responsible for the naming of the bird--mistaking the turkey for a member of the peacock family. Columbus called them by the name for a peacock in the Indian language, "tuka." Turkeys became so popular in early America that Benjamin Franklin proposed they become America's national bird.

Breeding

Modern day turkeys do not closely resemble their ancestors throughout history. Turkey breeders have optimized their birds for the most meat and profit. The most popular turkey meat comes from the breast, so today's turkeys are bred to have considerably larger chests, shorter necks and shorter legs. Male turkeys posses such large chests that they can no longer naturally fertilize eggs in their instinctual position. Breeders fertilize eggs using artificial insemination.

Gender Differences

The male turkey is called a tom turkey, whereas his female counterpart is called a hen turkey. If you hear a turkey making the classic "gobble gobble" noise, you can know for certain that he is male: only tom turkeys can produce this sound. Traditional turkey artwork shows a male-only stance: the chest puffed out, the feathers displayed proudly behind him. This is not the average pose for a male turkey, he only assumes this position when trying to attract a female. Turkeys can usually be found with their feathers dragged behind them on the ground.

Holiday Bird

Although turkey was likely to be eaten at the first Thanksgiving meal, it was 200 years later before the annual celebration of Thanksgiving swept across America. Thanksgiving is not the only large meal centering on this giant bird. Americans can also be found roasting a turkey around Christmas time. "The Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens' first introduced the idea of a Christmas turkey meal, and its popularity grew.

References

• Food Reference: Turkey
• The University of Illinois: Turkey for the Holidays History and Lore

Resources

• DLTK's Holiday Activities: Turkey Crafts