Fun for Kids - Turkey Time!

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Did you know turkeys got their name due to a case of mistaken identity? European explorers thought they were a bird transported by Turkish merchants, so they referred to them as turkeys! By the time they realized these birds were only indigenous to North America the name had stuck. Gobble up more fascinating turkey facts below!

Read all these facts then close your eyes and see how many you can remember! Try with a friend and see who can remember more!

A young male turkey is called a Jake, and a Tom when he gets older. Females are called hens.

Benjamin Franklin wanted the wild turkey to be the national bird of the United States.

Wild turkeys can fly up to 55 miles per hour.

A group of turkeys is called a rafter.

Wild turkeys are among the five largest flying birds in the world!

Wild turkeys sleep high up in trees.

Wild turkeys were important to many Native American tribes across America, providing food and inspiring traditional ceremonies and rituals.

Male turkeys have fancy head parts called caruncles, snoods, wattles, and beards!

Turkeys are very vocal and can be found frequently gobbling or chatting with one another.

Turkeys are very social and become distressed when they are isolated from their flock.

Wild turkeys eat nuts, berries, seeds, insects, and sometimes even frogs!