Thanksgiving often brings thoughts of Pilgrims, Indians and a bounty of delicious food filling a table to over-flowing. Memories of family and friends enjoying this meal together. Of all the foods associated with this day, turkey is the most common.
But, have you ever wondered if there is more to this bird which sits before you? More than just a golden brown centerpiece, cooked to juicy perfection? Have you ever wanted to share some fun fact about this bird which serves as the main attraction for many a Thanksgiving dinner? Well, this year you can!
Interesting and Unusual
– There are several theories on how turkeys came by their name. Just to name a few:
1.) Their name comes from the “turk, turk” sound they make.
2.) Another theory comes from the Native American name for turkey which is “firkee”.
3.) A more complex theory surrounds Christopher Columbus. It is said he thought his new discovery was India and upon seeing a turkey felt it looked like some type of peacock. With these thoughts in mind, he called it the Tamil (Indian language) word for peacock, “turka”.
4) The male turkey is called a “tom” or “gobbler”. The female is called a “hen” and the babies are called “poults”.
5) Wild turkeys have dark feathers to camouflage them in their natural habitat, while tame turkeys which are farm raised are white.
6) Wild turkeys are capable of flying at short distance and can reach speeds of up to 55 miles per hour. Due to their increased weight, however, domestic turkeys cannot fly.
7) Turkeys have excellent sight. They are capable of seeing colors and have a 270-degree range of vision. (Who knew!?)
8) Turkeys can be easily and fatally startled by loud noises. Turkeys can have heart attacks. When the Air Force was conducting test runs and breaking the sound barrier, fields of turkeys would drop dead.
9) Approximately 675 million pounds of turkey are eaten by Americans every Thanksgiving.
10) Many people get sleepy after eating turkey. Turkey contains Tryptophan, which makes one sleepy.
11) Native Americans have raised turkeys for food since about 1000 AD. – Turkeys have been known to drown due to looking up while it is raining.
12) Instead of the Bald Eagle as the United States national bird, Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey named as such. He felt turkeys were smarter and a more noble bird.
13) Beginning in 1947, a ceremony has been held at the White House in which the President pardons a live turkey. It is a way to start the holiday season. The live turkey goes to Disneyland following the ceremony to live out the rest of its life.
Related: The Fate of Pardoned Thanksgiving Turkeys: History of the Holidays
14) More than 232 million turkeys were eaten in the U.S. in 2017. The majority consumed for Thanksgiving. As you sit to enjoy your meal this year, share some of these facts. Let others know too, there is more to this bird than just a good meal. (I feel a Classical Conversations presentation coming on… 😉 )
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