Q: If you dug up an ancient fossilized turkey bone in North America, can you guess how old it might be?

Fossil evidence shows that turkeys roamed North America for 10 million years.

Q: How did the turkey get its name?

The more common name “turkey” has a number of theories as to its origin. One suggestion is from the wild turkey's call, which sounds like “turk-turk-turk”. Another likely explanation is that in the 16th century, merchants trading in the Mediterranean were known as Turkes. They probably included their birds in the merchandise and they became known as turkey fowls. Another theory says that Columbus named them “Turka” which is peacock in the Tamil language of India. Columbus thought the New World was connected to India and had mistaken this large roaming bird for a peacock. Another theory is that an American Indian name for the bird was “firkee”.

Q: If a female turkey is called a hen, and a baby turkey is called a poult, what is the correct name for a male turkey?

A male turkey is called a “tom” and weighs over 9 kilograms. Females are called “hens” and weigh between 5.75 and 9 kgs. Young turkeys under 5.75 kgs are called “broilers”.

Q: Domestic farm turkeys have white feathers but cannot fly. Wild turkeys have bronze coloured feathers and can fly. How many feathers would you find on a mature farm turkey?

It is estimated that turkeys have approximately 3,500 feathers at maturity.

Q: Guess the weight of the largest turkey listed in the Guinness Book of World Records?

According to the Guinness Book of Records the largest turkey was 39.09 kilograms.

Q: What was the first meal eaten on the moon by astronauts?

When Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin sat down to eat their first meal on the moon, their food packets contained roasted turkey and all the trimmings.