The turkey is a large bird in the genus Meleagris, native to North America. There are two extant turkey species: the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) of eastern and central North America and the ocellated turkey (Meleagris ocellata) of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico.

turkey, either of two species of birds classified as members of either the family Phasianidae or Meleagrididae (order Galliformes). The best known is the common turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), a native game bird of North America that has been widely domesticated for the table.

The Wild Turkey and the Muscovy Duck are the only two domesticated birds native to the New World. In the early 1500s, European explorers brought home Wild Turkeys from Mexico, where native people had domesticated the birds centuries earlier.

The Turkey is a group of large birds in the pheasant, or Phasianidae family. They are closely related to chickens, quail, pheasants, peacocks, and partridges. This article will focus on the domestic species. For their wild counterparts, please see the Wild Turkey article.

Wild Turkeys are hunted by coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, mountain lions, Golden Eagles, Great Horned Owls, and people. Nest predators include raccoons, opossums, striped skunks, gray foxes, woodchucks, rat snakes, bull snakes, birds, and rodents.

Wild Turkeys usually get around by walking or running, but they can fly strongly, and they typically roost overnight in tall trees. Turkeys were formerly considered to belong to a separate family from other chicken-like birds; there are only two species, ours in North America and the Ocellated Turkey in Central America.

Everything you should know about the Wild Turkey. The Wild Turkey is a large, heavy bird that looks quite similar to the domestic turkey.

May 27, 2024 · The turkey is a fascinating bird that is directly related to dinosaurs like the velociraptor. It’s an intelligent and social animal, and it’s also related to pheasants and grouse. These birds can be found all across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. When awake, turkeys spend most of their time looking for food.

The Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is an upland ground bird native to North America, one of two extant species of turkey, and the heaviest member of the diverse Galliformes (a group of game birds which includes grouse, pheasants, and partridges).

Turkeys are intelligent and sensitive animals that are highly social. They create lasting social bonds with each other and are very affectionate; rather similar to dogs. The modern domesticated turkey descends from the wild turkey. Turkeys are known to exhibit over 20 distinct vocalisations.