Domestic turkey
Domesticated fowl descended from central Mexican wild turkeys.
The domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo domesticus) is a large fowl, one of the two species in the genus Meleagris and the same species as the wild turkey. It is a popular form of poultry raised throughout temperate parts of the world, partially because industrialized farming has made it very cheap for the amount of meat it produces. Domestication was thought to have occurred in central Mesoamerica at least 2,000 years ago, and the main domestic varieties today descend from turkeys raised in central Mexico that were imported into Europe by the Spanish in the 16th century.
- Maximum mass
- Up to 11 kg (24 lbs) for males, with larger breeds occasionally reaching 20 kg (44 lbs)
Lore & Background
Ancient Mesoamericans domesticated the South Mexican subspecies of wild turkey, using its meat and eggs as major protein sources and its feathers extensively for decoration. The Aztecs associated the turkey with the god Tezcatlipoca, a connection well-documented in historical and archaeological evidence. Domestic turkeys were taken to Europe by the Spanish, and many distinct breeds were developed there, such as the Spanish Black and Royal Palm. The 16th-century English navigator William Strickland is sometimes credited with introducing the turkey into England, but his role is historically disputed; his family coat of arms shows a turkey cock as the family crest.
Reader's Guide
The domestic turkey's significance lies in its long history as a protein source and its transformation through industrialization into an affordable, widely available meat. Originally domesticated in Mesoamerica over two millennia ago, it was introduced to Europe by the Spanish in the 16th century and later spread globally. Intensive farming from the late 1940s dramatically cut prices, making turkey accessible to working classes, and advances in refrigeration and disease control further increased production. The English name likely results from an early misidentification with guineafowl imported through Turkey. Today, the Broad Breasted White is the most consumed variety, while heritage breeds like the Bourbon Red and Narragansett persist. The bird's behavior includes social bonding, aggression toward strangers, and elaborate sexual displays by males. Its legacy includes cultural traditions such as the U.S. presidential pardon of a turkey and its role in Christmas dinners, as noted in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.
Did You Know?
- Female domestic turkeys are called hens, and the chicks are poults or turkeylings.
- The fleshy protuberance atop the beak is the snood, and the one attached to the underside of the beak is the wattle.
- The Latin species name gallopāvō means 'chicken peacock'.
- Prior to the late 19th century, turkey was a luxury in the UK, with goose or beef more common for Christmas dinner among working classes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Domestic turkey?
The domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo domesticus) is a large fowl in the genus Meleagris, sharing its species with the wild turkey. It is the primary poultry form raised for meat across temperate regions worldwide.
What is Domestic turkey's role in the world?
It serves as one of the most economically significant meat birds in industrialized farming, prized for the high volume of usable protein it yields relative to feed input. Its low production cost has made it a staple protein source in many Western diets.
Where does Domestic turkey originate from?
Domestication traces back to central Mesoamerica, where indigenous peoples began raising wild turkeys at least two millennia ago. The modern breeds we know today descend from birds originally kept in central Mexico and later carried to Europe by Spanish explorers in the 1500s.
How big can Domestic turkey get?
Males typically top out around 11 kilograms (roughly 24 pounds), though certain heavy breeds can push past 20 kilograms (44 pounds). This makes it one of the largest domesticated birds in common agricultural use.
Why is Domestic turkey important to bird fans?
It represents one of the most successful examples of ancient human-animal partnership, with a domestication history stretching back thousands of years in the Americas. Its journey from Mesoamerican backyard fowl to a globally farmed commodity makes it a fascinating case study in how humans reshape species.
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