What was the first native North American bird species to be transported west across the Atlantic Ocean from Europe?
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It was the Wild Turkey. European explorers are said to have taken Wild Turkeys to Europe from Mexico in the early 1500s. In fact, English colonists brought them along when they settled on the Atlantic Coast of North America.
The name appears to be a misnomer based on the legend of the time that the species originally came from Turkey.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I would have to say the turkey, as in the current domesticated turkey. While I am tempted to say Wild Turkey, what I have read says that the turkey made the trip via very early Spanish explorers, which means the Ocellated Turkey is probably the true origin.
If I remember my Ornithology class info I would guess Rock Pigeon