Are There Turkeys In Italy? Exploring Avian Diversity In The Boot-Shaped Country

Do turkeys originate from Italy? The origins of domestic turkeys can be traced back to the Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), a species exclusively native to the Americas. However, in the 1500s, Spanish traders introduced domesticated turkeys, which had been raised by indigenous Americans, to Europe and Asia, marking their first appearance outside of the Americas. This historic exchange between continents played a significant role in the global spread of this remarkable bird species.

Are there European turkeys? Turkeys, originally native to the Americas, were introduced to Continental Europe by colonial explorers in the early 1500s. These birds, previously unfamiliar to Europeans, rapidly gained popularity as a sought-after delicacy among the affluent. Consequently, turkeys were cultivated and raised in various regions across Europe. To this day, turkey meat continues to be a favored choice, with the European Union alone producing an annual output of approximately 1.8 million tons as of November 8, 2022. This culinary tradition has firmly established the presence of turkeys in European agriculture and gastronomy.