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Meleagris gallopavo
The Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is native to North America and is the heaviest member of the diverse Galliformes. It is the same species as the domestic turkey, which was originally derived from a southern Mexican subspecies of Wild Turkey (not the related Ocellated Turkey). 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
Prairie, woodland forest mix.
This guy was strutting for the girls. The girls were just out of sight in the high grass.
Spotted on May 18, 2013
Submitted on Jul 29, 2013
2 Comments
I thought that story was pretty interesting as well, as I had never heard it. Thanks for the comment Suzanne!
Handsome fellow. I'd never heard that story about how the turkey got its name, never even thought about it, isn't that funny? Thanks!