Kalkkuna

Kalkkuna, or turkey, refers to the large bird of the genus Meleagris, most commonly the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). The domesticated turkey is descended from wild populations in North America and is a major agricultural animal for meat. A second wild species, the ocellated turkey (Meleagris ocellata), occurs in Central America and parts of the Caribbean.

Kalkkunat are native to North America, ranging from southern Canada to northern Mexico. They prefer mixed forests with open ground for feeding and roosting, often forming flocks outside the breeding season.

In appearance, males are larger and more colorful than females, with a reddish to blue head and a fan-shaped tail. They have a fleshy casque or snood on the beak, and a wattle under the throat. Diet is omnivorous, including seeds, fruits, insects, and small vertebrates. Breeding takes place in spring; males attract hens with vocal calls and courtship displays, known as strutting. Eggs incubate for about 28 days, and chicks are precocial.

Domesticated turkeys are bred for meat and vary in size and plumage; selective breeding has produced broad-breasted varieties common in agriculture. In many cultures, kalkkunat are associated with autumnal feasts; in North America the Thanksgiving holiday popularized turkey as a meat source.

Conservation-wise, wild populations were severely reduced in the 19th century but have recovered in many regions with habitat protection and restocking programs.