Yes, there are turkeys in England, though they are not an indigenous species and are not considered true wild animals. These birds exist as localized feral populations, meaning they are the descendants of domestic stock that have escaped or been intentionally released from farms. The presence of these feral flocks is a direct result of centuries of domestic farming. They have established themselves in certain areas by adapting to the local environment, but they are distinct from the native wild turkey populations of North America.
Defining the English Turkey Population
The turkeys found roaming in England are classified as feral, which differentiates them significantly from their ancestral wild counterparts in North America. The North American wild turkey is a powerful bird, capable of sustained flight and possessing strong survival instincts. In contrast, the English feral populations descend from the domestic turkey, which has been selectively bred for commercial meat production. This intensive breeding has resulted in birds that are generally heavier, less agile, and often lack the survival instincts of their wild relatives.
Feral birds are subject to natural selection once they leave the farm environment, causing them to develop traits more conducive to survival. They become leaner and regain some of their ancestors’ ability to fly and evade predators. Despite these adaptations, they remain genetically distinct from the true wild turkeys, which have never successfully established a self-sustaining population in the British Isles. The typical English feral turkey is often a mixed-breed, displaying darker plumage than the common white commercial bird.
The History of Their Arrival
The turkey’s journey to England began shortly after the European discovery of the Americas, its native habitat. The first record of a turkey arriving in Britain dates back to approximately 1526, brought by the Yorkshireman William Strickland, a lieutenant on an expedition to the New World. These initial imports were already domesticated versions of the bird, likely sourced from the Aztecs in Mexico, who had been raising them for centuries.
The birds quickly became a fashionable and exotic food source for the wealthy, with King Henry VIII being among the first English monarchs recorded to have eaten the meat. For centuries, the turkey remained a domestic farm animal, raised for the table, supplying the growing demand. The feral populations began to emerge gradually as individual birds escaped their confines, establishing small, localized breeding groups in the surrounding landscape.
Current Distribution and Status
Feral turkey populations in England are not widespread across the entire country but are concentrated in specific, localized geographic pockets. These populations are typically found near areas with a history of turkey farming, or in large, protected, wooded environments like the New Forest in Hampshire. Sporadic sightings occur in parts of East Anglia, particularly within the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk. The success of these localized flocks depends heavily on access to suitable foraging habitat and protection from human disturbance.
Ecologically, these birds are considered an established, non-native presence, but they are not viewed as an invasive species causing widespread ecological harm. Since they are non-native, the feral turkeys are not protected under any specific conservation mandate, nor are they the subject of national eradication efforts. Their population size is relatively small and fluctuates based on local conditions, predation, and the occasional escape of domestic stock.