Meleagris gallopavo, commonly known as the wild turkey, is native to North America. Its geographical distribution includes parts of the United States, Mexico, and parts of southern Canada. The primary regions include the eastern United States, from Maine to Florida and west to Texas, into Mexico's eastern mountain ranges and southern Canada.

Wild turkeys inhabit a variety of environments that provide an abundance of cover and food sources. Typically, they are found in deciduous and mixed forests with interspersed open areas such as fields or pastures. They require mature forests with diverse understory vegetation to provide adequate cover, especially for nesting. Turkeys also thrive in regions with a combination of forested lands and adjacent open clearings that offer foraging opportunities.

Wild turkeys are ground-dwelling birds that feed on a diet consisting of seeds, nuts, fruits, insects, and occasionally small amphibians. They play a vital ecological role by aiding seed dispersal and controlling insect populations. Their adaptability allows them to occupy various ecological niches ranging from mountainous regions to swamps, which supports their broad geographic spread.