gallopavo

Gallopavo, or Meleagris gallopavo, is the species commonly known as the wild turkey. It is a large bird in the pheasant family (Phasianidae) native to forests and open woodlands of North America. A domesticated form, Meleagris gallopavo domesticus, has been selectively bred for meat and is widely raised around the world. A related species, the ocellated turkey (Meleagris ocellata), is native to the Yucatán Peninsula.

Adult males are larger and more colorful than females. The head and neck are bare, with a fleshy snood and caruncles; the tail is fan-shaped, and the plumage is typically dark with iridescent bronze or copper highlights. Turkeys are primarily terrestrial but roost in trees at night. They inhabit woodlands, farmlands, and edge habitats.

They are omnivorous, eating seeds, grains, fruits, insects, and small animals. They form loose groups, with males displaying by strutting, fanning the tail, and gobbling to attract females during the spring breeding season. Females select mates, build ground nests, and incubate clutches of about 10-12 eggs for roughly 28 days.

Population status varies by region; in many parts of North America wild turkey numbers have recovered from earlier declines and are generally listed as least concern, though some local subspecies or habitats remain threatened. The domestic turkey remains a major source of poultry meat in global agriculture. Domestication originated in Mesoamerica and was later disseminated to Europe and other regions.

In culture and cuisine, the turkey has become a symbol in several regions, notably associated with autumn holidays and traditional meals.