Since turkey is a staple at most Thanksgiving celebrations, we thought it would be fun to share a few fun turkey facts that you may not have heard before. Thanks to the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association for sharing these facts:
First Meal on the Moon
When Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin sat down for their first meal on the moon, their foil food packets contained roasted turkey and all the trimmings.
Turkey as the Official United States Bird
Benjamin Franklin proposed the turkey as the official United States bird. Dismayed by news of the selection of the bald eagle, Franklin replied, “The turkey is a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original of America.”
National Month
June is National Turkey Lovers Month.
U.S. Households Consumption
More than 25 percent of U.S. households consume turkey deli meat at least once every two weeks.
Feathers
Turkeys have approximately 3,500 feathers at maturity.
Big Bird on Sesame Street
The costume worn by Big Bird on Sesame Street is rumored to be made of turkey feathers.
Turkey Feather Down
Turkey feather down is sometimes used to make pillows.
Domesticated vs. Wild Turkeys
Domesticated turkeys often appear less cunning and more docile as compared to wild turkeys, whose survival depends on their adjustment to a less protective environment.
Flying Turkeys
Domesticated turkeys cannot fly. Wild turkeys can fly for short distances up to 55 miles per hour and can run 20 miles per hour.
Gobbling
Only tom turkeys gobble. Hen turkeys make a clicking noise.
Eggs
Turkey eggs are tan with brown specks and are larger than chicken eggs.
Turkey Terminology
- A large group of turkeys is called a flock.
- A baby turkey is called a poult and is tan and brown.
- The “caruncle” on a turkey is the red-pink fleshy growth on the head and upper neck.
- The “snood” is a long, red, fleshy growth from the base of the beak that hangs down over the beard.
- The “wattle” is the bright red appendage at the neck.
- The “beard” is a black lock of hair found on the chest of a male turkey.