Fast Facts for Kids
Turkey Facts for Kids

Turkey Facts for Kids

  • Common Name: Turkey
  • Trinomial Name: Meleagris gallopavo domesticus
  • Class: Aves
  • Order: Galiformes
  • Family: Phasianidae
  • Range: Worldwide (Domesticated)
  • Domesticated: ~2,000 years ago.

18 Turkey Facts For Kids

  1. The domestic turkey is a large bird that is a member of the Meleagris genus.
  2. The domestic turkey is the most recognizable bird species in the world due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
  3. The domestic turkey was domesticated from the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo).
  4. Humans first domesticated turkeys around 2,000 years ago in central Mesoamerica (Central America).
  5. Humans domesticated turkeys for their meat (poultry).
  6. Domestic turkeys are raised on farms worldwide in any geographical region with a temperate climate.
  7. More than 600 million domestic turkeys are harvested annually on private or commercial farms for meat.
  8. Turkeys are primarily eaten during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
  9. The average adult domestic turkey weighs 29.8 pounds.
  10. The average adult domestic turkey has a length between 3.3 and 4.1 feet.
  11. The average adult domestic turkey has a wingspan of 5 feet.
  12. Domestic turkeys are the 8th largest living birds on our planet.
  13. There are 8 turkey breeds recognized in the United States by the American Poultry Association.
  14. There are 12 turkey breeds recognized in Europe by the Entente Europeenne d'Aviculture et de Cuniculture.
  15. The most popular and commercially profitable turkey breed is the Broad Breasted White turkey.
  16. The heaviest turkey breed is the Bronze Broad Breasted Turkey with a maximum weight of 38 pounds.
  17. The smallest turkey breed is the Midget White turkey with a maximum weight of 8 pounds.
  18. Male turkeys are referred to as gobblers or toms, female turkeys are referred to as hens, and juvenile turkeys of both genders are called poults.

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Turkey Pictures

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the below images will be helpful for your research on turkeys. Below are three pictures of various turkeys. These pictures should help you better understand the different types of turkeys found around the world.

The Domestic Turkey (Meleagris Gallopavo Domesticus)

A picture of the domestic turkey (meleagris gallopavo domesticus).

Male Wild Turkey (Meleagris Gallopavo)

A picture of male wild turkey (meleagris gallopavo).

The Ocellated Turkey (Meleagris Ocellata)

A picture of the ocellated turkey (meleagris ocellata).

Turkey Resources

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