Wild turkey
—Ross Feldner

Contrary to popular lore, Benjamin Franklin never publicly voiced opposition to the bald eagle as a national symbol, nor did he ever publicly suggest the turkey as a national symbol.

The Wild turkey is an upland ground bird and a United States native. It’s the heaviest member of the diverse Galliformes (a group of game birds which includes grouse, pheasants, and partridges) and is the same species as the domestic turkey, which was originally derived from a southern Mexican subspecies of Wild turkey. It’s believed that the Wild turkey got its name from the domesticated variety being imported to Britain in ships coming from Western Asia (Middle East) via Spain. The British at the time therefore associated the Wild turkey with the country Turkey and the name stuck.

These beautiful animals are highly intelligent, and have distinct and playful personalities.