Turkey

Description

A large gamebird native to North and Central America (Meleagris gallapavo and Meleagris ocellata). Turkeys have been hunted and domesticated for their meat. Their feathers have been used for decoration.

Synonyms and Related Terms

North American wild turkey (Meleagris gallapavo); Mexican ocellated turkey (Meleagris ocellata); (Dan.); Truthhner (Deut.); pavo comn (Esp.); dinde (Fr.); gallopoula (Gr.); tamegol hodu (Heb.); kalkoen (Ned.); kalkun (Nor.); peru (Port.); shichimencho (Jap.); chilmyeonjo (Kor.); huoji (Chin.); hindi (Turk.)

Additional Images

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  Wild turkeys Melagris gallopavo

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  White turkey female Melagris gallopavo

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  Turkey Melagris gallopavo

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  Occelated Turkey Melagris ocellata

Authority

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "turkey." Encyclopdia Britannica. 2004. Encyclopdia Britannica Premium Service. 20 Dec. 2004 .

• Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_%28bird%29 (accessed Dec 20, 2004)