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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.
May 3, 2024 · 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, while the other species is the ocellated turkey. Learn more about the birds, including their domestication and characteristics.
Most North American kids learn turkey identification early, by tracing outlines of their hands to make Thanksgiving cards. These big, spectacular birds are an increasingly common sight the rest of the year, too, as flocks stride around woods and clearings like miniature dinosaurs.
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.
These big, spectacular birds are an increasingly common sight the rest of the year, too, as flocks stride around woods and clearings like miniature dinosaurs. Courting males puff themselves into feathery balls and fill the air with exuberant gobbling.
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.
Most North American kids learn turkey identification early, by tracing outlines of their hands to make Thanksgiving cards. These big, spectacular birds are an increasingly common sight the rest of the year, too, as flocks stride around woods and clearings like miniature dinosaurs.
