The genus Meleagris is the only extant genus in the subfamily Meleagridinae, formerly known as the family Meleagrididae, but now subsumed within the family Phasianidae.

On November 13, 2008, Paul Kelly set the world record, plucking three turkeys in 11 minutes 30.16 seconds. Paul went head to head against Gordon Ramsay, who plucked three turkeys in 11 minutes 31.78 seconds.