Wild Turkeys

Wild Turkeys - History

Picture source: FeatherSite ©

Wild turkeys were a matter of great interest for Native Americans. There was much ambiguity about the birds. Some tribes scorned wild turkeys, because they believed the bird was naturally craven and poor spirited. They adamantly refused even to eat the turkey for fear of inheriting these traits. 'Turkey' has even become a slang slur for a despicable, stupid and weak person.

Other tribes worshipped the animal. They kept turkey feathers and bones, which were used as decorations and as a material for making whistles. The bird was also used for food. Benjamin Franklin Roosevelt so admired the turkey, that he wanted the image of the bird included in the national heraldry. Needless to say, there is no Thanksgiving party without turkey meat!

In the beginning of the 20th century and through the 1950s, there were tremendous drops in wild turkey populations. That was the result of the intrusion by humans into their natural habitat. A great deal of woods was cleared and the distribution shrunk considerably. By the 1950s, there were only 5000 wild turkeys in America. Fortunately, due to conservation and reintroduction of the bird in many states, they have recovered from the decline. Now there are no less than 65,000 turkeys in the US.