Domestic turkey

Turkeys are big, clucky birds that you often see on farms. They have funny-looking heads and necks that can change color! Male turkeys, called toms, have a special wattle, which is a flap of skin that hangs down from their chin, and a snood, which is a fleshy growth that hangs over their beak.

They puff up their feathers and make a gobbling sound to show off. Female turkeys are called hens, and they are usually smaller and quieter.

Long, long ago, wild turkeys lived in North America. People started to notice how tasty they were and how they could be tamed. Over many years, farmers chose the biggest and friendliest turkeys to raise. This is how we got the domestic turkey we know today! They are descendants of the wild turkey but have been bred to be much larger and more suited for farms.

Turkeys are omnivores, which means they eat both plants and animals! On a farm, they love to peck at grains like corn and wheat, and they also enjoy munching on seeds and bugs. In the wild, they would also eat berries and small insects. They spend a lot of their day scratching in the dirt with their strong feet, looking for yummy snacks to gobble up.

Did you know that a turkey's gobble is so loud it can be heard from a mile away? Also, baby turkeys, called poults, can walk and even try to fly just a few hours after hatching! Domestic turkeys are much bigger than their wild cousins. Some can weigh as much as a big dog, or even a small person!