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While turkeys aren't currently an endangered species, there were two points in the past when we almost lost them completely. According to the Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine, the California turkey went extinct about 10,000 to 12,000 years ago, likely due to climate change or overhunting, or a combination of the two. And when European settlers arrived in America, turkeys again found themselves as targets of prolific hunting.

Female turkeys are called hens, just like female chickens; but male turkeys aren't roosters. Instead, they're called toms, or, since male turkeys are the ones who make the notorious gobbling sound, they can also be called gobblers. And if you ever wondered why we call them turkeys, check out This Is How Turkeys Got Their Name.

Not only do turkeys have gorgeous feathers, but they also have a lot of them. According to the U.S. Fish and Wild Life Service, an adult turkey has anywhere from 5,000 to 6,000 individual feathers on their body.

Turkeys are known for the gobbling sound they make, but it turns out that only the male birds make that iconic call. Female turkeys—or hens—on the other hand, will instead cluck like a chicken, yelp if they're excited or agitated, or purr like a cat (although, according to the National Wild Turkey Federation, it's more of a "rolling, almost staccato call" than a purr, but it conveys the same feeling of contentment). And to bust some Thanksgiving-related myths, check out 8 Common Myths About Thanksgiving You Probably Still Believe.