There are only two domesticated birds that are actually indigenous to North America. One is the Muscovy Duck, the other is Turkey. Wild turkeys populated most of the North American Continent, and were domesticated by the Aztecs as early as 100 B.C. Pre Columbian civilizations utilized turkey as a main staple in their diet. The feathers of the bird have long been used as adornment for both decorative purposes. Even though there were several species of turkey that called the Americas home, the wild turkeys were not domesticated by early settlers. Turkey was brought to Europe from Mexico in the early 1500s. The aristocracy found them to be quite palatable in comparison to pheasant and domestication ensued. The Europeans were so successful in breeding turkey that the early American settlers brought them along in their trans Atlantic journey. Turkey was an integrated part of the English diet so it was natural that the early settlers brought and continued to import the domesticated Black Turkey. The domesticated bird wasn’t abundant enough to supply the rising colonial population, so cross breeding began between the Black turkey and its cousin The Eastern Wild Turkey. There are 5 subspecies of native North American wild turkies:

Eastern

Florida

Merriam’s

Rio Grande

Gould’s

The differences are primarily location, coloring and size. Turkey was such an important part of the colonist’s diet that wild turkey populations were hunted to dangerous levels by the early 1800s. Wild turkeys are one of the fastest and most elusive of birds, which make them very popular with hunters. Because of land clearing and extensive hunting they were nearly extinct by the 1900s. Conservation efforts have restored abundant populations of the bird to most of America.

The United States is the largest producer and exporter of turkey in the world. With over 7 billion pounds from over 250 million turkeys being produced, the industry is valued at over 3 billion dollars. It has steadily become more popular over the last 20 years. In 1920 turkey farmers raised 1 turkey for every 29 people. At 250 million turkeys a year we almost get one per person.

Popular opinion states that turkey is primarily a holiday meal, but only 27% of turkeys sold are specifically for the holidays. 45 million turkeys are eaten at Thanksgiving, 22 million for Christmas and 19 million for Easter. Turkey has become a very popular and diverse alternative to beef and pork.