Where did turkeys come from?

The ancestors of the modern domestic turkey (_Meleagris gallopavo_) originated from the wild turkeys native to North America. Wild turkeys were indigenous to forests, woodland areas, and open habitats in Mexico and the United States, with two main subspecies: the Eastern Wild Turkey (_Meleagris gallopavo silvestris_) and the Merriam's Wild Turkey (_Meleagris gallopavo merriami_).

Early domestication efforts of turkeys are believed to have occurred in Mexico and Central America by pre-Columbian civilizations such as the Aztecs and Mayans. These indigenous societies prized turkeys as a source of food, but also held cultural and religious significance. Archaeological evidence suggests that domestication began as early as 200 BC in the region that is now Mexico.

Domestication led to the development of several turkey breeds, with different characteristics and appearances. As European explorers encountered turkeys in the Americas during the 15th and 16th centuries, they introduced these domesticated birds to Europe, Asia, and Africa, contributing to their global spread.

Through further selective breeding and hybridization, numerous turkey breeds were created, including the Broad-Breasted White turkey, which is the most common type of turkey raised commercially for meat production today. Over the centuries, turkeys have become an integral part of various cultures and cuisines worldwide and are particularly associated with Thanksgiving celebrations in North America.