The turkey was domesticated in Mexico and brought to Europe in the 16 th century. Wild turkeys can fly for short distances up to 55 miles per hour. Wild turkeys can run 20 miles per hour. Tom turkeys have beards. This is black, hairlike feathers on their breast.
Hens sometimes have beards, too.
Turkeys' heads change colors when they become excited. Six hundred seventy-five million pounds of turkey are eaten each Thanksgiving in the United States. Turkeys can see movement almost a hundred yards away. Turkeys lived almost ten million years ago. Turkey feathers were used by Native Americans to stabilize arrows.