Birds: Turkey

Turkey

The wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is an upland ground bird native to North America

Turkey

The Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is a bird that lives from southern Canada to Mexico in the east and southwest U.S. Part of the year, they live in large flocks and undertake irregular migrations. During the day they are on the ground and by night they rest in a tree. In september the birds move from the northern regions to the southern. They move on foot. First the cocks in flocks of 50 to 100 individuals. Then the hens and chicks take the same path. Wild turkeys are omnivorous, foraging on the ground or climbing shrubs and small trees to feed. They prefer eating hard mast such as acorns, nuts, and various trees, including hazel, chestnut, hickory, and pinyon pine as well as various seeds, berries such as juniper and bearberry, roots and insects. Turkeys also occasionally consume amphibians and small reptiles such as lizards and snakes.

Although native to North America, the Wild Turkey got its name due to the trade routes in place. During the 16th Century, the major trade route from the Americas and Asia required the goods to go to Constantinople in Turkey before being sent to Britain. The British at the time therefore, associated the Wild Turkey with the country Turkey and the name stuck.