Did you know that no one really knows why the turkey was the chosen meal for Thanksgiving. However, historians have a few theories of why the turkey was chosen. One theory historians have established starts with the early pilgrim settlers. Theory has it that the pilgrims came to America and ate the first Thanksgiving dinner with the Wampanoag Indians. Their meal consisted of beef and fowl, a gallinaceous bird. Historians do not know for sure which type of bird was served; however, a written letter by Edward Winslow, a pilgrim, mentioned a turkey hunting trip that took place prior to the first Thanksgiving meal.
Another theory historians have created attributes to the Queen of England. Theory has it, that while Queen Elizabeth was eating dinner one night during the 16th century, Spanish battleships sunk on their mission to attack England. After hearing this news, Queen Elizabeth was so happy that she ordered another goose for dinner. However, she was served turkey in exchange for a goose.
DID YOU KNOW.....
- Benjamin Franklin believed the turkey was more suitable to be the national bird of the United States, rather than the bald eagle.
- Each individual turkey has a specific voice allowing them to recognize each other.
- Domesticated turkeys are unable to fly, however, wild turkeys can fly for short distances at a time.
- The snood on a turkey is the long fleshy piece of skin that dangles over a male's beak.
- Turkeys consist of 5000 to 6000 feathers.
- Turkey is enjoyed all around the world.
- Turkeys are very intelligent and social animals.
- The bare skin on the turkeys throats changes colors depending on levels of stress and excitement. When the turkey's skin turns blue, they are excited. Alrhough, when their skin turns red, they are stressed out.
- In ancient Mexico cultures the turkey was considered sacred and often referred to as "jewelled birds" by the Aztecs.
I hope all of you reader going this information as interesting as I did! May all of your Thanksgivings be great and full with turkey! Join me back here in a month to read all about a new and interesting animal.
I very much so enjoyed your blog! I as well agree that turkey is very delicious,and is also a "have to" meal during Thanksgiving dinners, and I am so ready for break so I can get some in my belly! You found some very interesting facts about the turkey,the one I found most informing would probably have to be the one about how they change colors depending on their stress level. I have never seen a blueish turkey so I guess they have always been very stressed out when I see them. Thanks for sharing these interesting facts and I plan to keep on the watch for your next blog.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very interesting piece on turkeys. I always thought that they just had Turkey at the first Thanksgiving. I also never knew that the turkeys throat colors change based on their stress levels. But i do agree turkey is great for thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very informational, as well as interesting blog! I have always wondered why turkey was such a go to meal at Thanksgiving, but with the theories you mentioned, I now have a better idea. I knew none of the turkey facts you shared, so thanks for that! It's very strange that all turkeys sound different, just as all people do. Looks like you did great research!
ReplyDeleteI learned a lot of new and interesting facts about the turkey by reading your blog! I find it quite fascinating that you can tell what their level of stress is just by the color of their skin. I found a statement that said turkeys are related all the way back to dinosaurs and that is something probably a lot of people did not know! Who knew that a food we eat so commonly around the world was so interesting. I look forward to continue following your blog.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very informational, as well as interesting blog! I have always wondered why turkey was such a go to meal at Thanksgiving, but with the theories you mentioned, I now have a better idea. I knew none of the turkey facts you shared, so thanks for that! It's very strange that all turkeys sound different, just as all people do. Looks like you did great research!
ReplyDeleteThis was very interesting. I enjoyed reading all of the facts you have found, the most interesting one to me was how they change colors depending on their stress level.
ReplyDeleteThis blog post was very informal and beneficial to read. I never did know why we eat turkey at Thanksgiving but you gave me a better understanding about it! The fun facts were a great addition to go along with all of the information you had researched! Great job, and I can't wait to read more!
ReplyDelete