Yes, turkeys are present in England, both as farmed domestic birds and as wild or feral populations. While the domestic turkey is a familiar sight in British culture, particularly around holidays, the presence of wild turkeys is a more recent development originating from escaped farmed birds. Their distinct histories and roles illustrate the varied ways these North American birds have integrated into the English landscape.
Wild Turkeys in the Landscape
These birds are not native to the British Isles, but they have adapted to various habitats, often found in open woodlands, wooded pastures, and scrubland areas. Attempts to introduce wild turkeys as game birds in the 18th century, such as those by George II in Richmond Park, were ultimately unsuccessful due to poaching.
Wild turkeys, especially the males, exhibit striking features, including iridescent bronze and green plumage that can also show shades of red, purple, copper, and gold. Males have a large, featherless reddish head and throat, with fleshy growths called caruncles and a snood, a long protrusion over the beak. Despite their large size, wild turkeys are surprisingly agile and can fly strongly for short distances, often roosting in trees at night for safety. They are also known for their distinctive gobbling calls, which can carry for up to a mile, particularly during the spring breeding season.
Farmed Turkeys and British Culture
Domesticated turkeys are widely raised across England, playing a significant role in the food industry. These birds are primarily bred for meat production. The majority of these are reared indoors in large, purpose-built sheds, though free-range and organic systems also exist.
The turkey holds a special place in British culinary traditions, especially as the centerpiece of Christmas dinners. Approximately 10 million turkeys are consumed in the UK on Christmas Day each year, accounting for a large percentage of annual sales. Popular commercial breeds include the Broad Breasted White, which is favored for its faster growth rates and meat yield, while traditional breeds like the Standard Bronze are also raised. This widespread consumption highlights the bird’s cultural significance in England, distinguishing it from its wild counterparts.
The Historical Journey to England
Turkeys are native to North America. Indigenous peoples in Mexico first domesticated these birds around 800 BC, using them for both food and cultural purposes. Spanish explorers encountered these domesticated turkeys and introduced them to Europe around 1519.
From Spain, turkeys quickly spread across Europe, gaining popularity among aristocratic classes. The first turkeys are believed to have been brought to England in 1526 by William Strickland, a Yorkshireman who acquired them from American Indian traders. King Henry VIII is believed to be one of the first English monarchs to eat turkey, establishing it as a festive meal.
By the 17th century, turkeys were becoming more common in England, particularly in East Anglia, where farmers raised them for sale. In the 1720s, around 250,000 turkeys were walked from Norfolk to London markets to meet the demand for Christmas feasts. The bird’s association with Christmas was further solidified in the Victorian era, notably popularized by Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” in 1843, where Ebenezer Scrooge sends a large turkey to the Cratchit family.