One
of the most well known Thanksgiving symbols, the wild turkeys are native
to the northern Mexico and the eastern United States. One can easily
recognize the bird from its characteristic brown features and
buff-colored feathers on its tail and wings. The make turkeys are often
referred to as Tom turkeys and are bigger and brighter than the females
known as 'Hen'. Male turkeys boast of more colorful plumage too, the
brightly colored fold of skin hanging from its throat at the base of its
bill known as the 'wattle' and prominent tuft of bristles on its chest
projecting downward that resembles a beard of a man.
Mexico is credited with domesticating the turkey first and the
tradition was transported Europe in the early 16th century. Since its
meat is delicious and it has eggs of high quality, it soon became an
important part of the poultry farm. The common American breeds of turkey
are the Bronze, Narragansett, White Holland and Bourbon Red. The
references prove that turkeys have been part of the Thanksgiving feast
since the days of the Pilgrim's first thanksgiving as mentioned by
Governor Bradford in his book and a letter sent to England by another
Pilgrim who narrated that four of the governor's men who went for
fowling came back with turkeys, ducks and geese.
