I often compliment my pet turkey, Woodford, by exclaiming, ‘Oh, my sweet darling, what a long, beautiful snood you have!’ While others may raise an eyebrow at this peculiar phrase, they’re likely unaware of the fascinating phenomenon that is the turkey’s snood. In fact, I only learned about it when my group of male turkeys began to mature and their faces developed a unique feature that bears some resemblance to a certain human anatomy part.
As someone who has since become well-versed in all things turkey, I’m happy to share my knowledge with fellow enthusiasts, whether you’re an owner, admirer, or simply someone interested in the biology of these fascinating birds.
Meet My Bourbon Red – Woodford
Woodford, a Bourbon Red Turkey, belongs to an exclusive group of heritage breeds. This elite category includes other fine feathered friends like Royal Palms, Narragansetts, Standard Bronzes, Slates, Blacks, White Midgets, Beltsville Small Whites, Jersey Buff, Midget White, and White Hollands. It’s worth noting that most non-heritage breed turkeys are consumed before they can display their impressive characteristics.
Heritage breeds, on the other hand, are raised for flavor and mature at a slower pace than standard white turkeys, resulting in longer lifespans. As a result, heritage breed turkeys have the capacity to naturally reproduce, making them ideal for breeding, egg-laying, and hatching. While it’s possible to observe these qualities in commercial breeds or wild turkeys, they are more pronounced in heritage breeds.
Turkey Anatomy
The majesty of a male turkey, also known as a Tom, cannot be overstated. When in full plumage, it’s an awe-inspiring sight that commands attention. While some may argue that a peacock’s display is more impressive, I firmly believe that a mature Tom holds its own unique charm. To truly appreciate the beauty of a Turkey, let’s delve into the intricacies of its anatomy and explore what makes it so remarkable.
The Snood
The fleshy protrusion on a young turkey’s forehead, often likened to a unicorn horn at rest, is known as the snood. Initially, it appears similar in both males and females, but as male turkeys mature sexually, their snoods elongate. The snood’s size increases with age and can fluctuate depending on the turkey’s level of activity – it shrinks when they’re at rest and lengthens when they strut.
In older males, the snood is often at its full length, making it difficult to discern when it’s not in use.
The snood also undergoes a color transformation as turkeys mature. The resting color of the snood varies by breed, typically ranging from pinkish to red hues. When turkeys engage in prolonged strutting, their snoods take on a darker red tint.
From a human perspective, the snood’s impractical design is intriguing – it covers the nostrils, making deep breathing challenging, and its position can hinder foraging activities.
However, male turkeys have found ways to utilize their snoods in creative ways. During disputes over dominance, they’ll often engage in a peculiar behavior known as ‘snood-pulling,’ where one turkey will grasp another’s snood with its beak and pull until the loser submits or breaks free.
Despite these apparent drawbacks, female turkeys are said to find long snoods alluring. For male turkeys, a lengthy snood serves as a visual display of virility, much like a peacock’s extravagant plumage.
Caruncles
Turkeys are distinguished by their striking plumage, including the prominent major caruncles that resemble a red scarf wrapped around the base of the neck. These fleshy growths are thought to play a role in courtship and mating behaviors. In addition to the major caruncles, turkeys also have mottled areas of shiny, leather-like skin that cover their heads and necks, known as caruncles.
When excited, these caruncles typically turn dark red, although they may take on a blue hue around the eye area. Turkeys have the ability to control their caruncle coloring through blood vessel contraction, much like flexing muscles. This allows them to express themselves through changes in coloration. Both male and female turkeys possess caruncles, though males tend to have thicker, more prominent ones due to higher levels of testosterone.
As a result, the caruncles on male turkeys may deepen in color when they are excited or displaying dominance.
Wattle
Turkeys are characterized by a distinctive wattle, a flap of skin that runs beneath their chin along the neck line. This feature is often camouflaged by the surrounding caruncles, but when a turkey extends its neck, the wattle becomes more prominent. At rest, it resembles a thin, foldable piece of skin.
As turkeys regulate their body temperature, they employ their wattles as a means to do so.
When these birds are hot and bothered, they may be observed extending their necks to expose their wattles, allowing them to cool off more effectively. Conversely, when turkeys are feeling chilly, they retract their wattles beneath their chins, making them nearly invisible.
In terms of physical characteristics, female turkeys tend to sport shorter and narrower wattles compared to males.
This disparity is likely due in part to the fact that females are generally smaller than males, possess fewer feathers, and do not require the same level of energetic displays, such as strutting and fighting, which males often engage in. As a result, it makes sense that female turkeys would not need the larger wattles necessary for regulating their body temperature.
Chest Beard
The beard of a turkey has a distinct texture, often likened to the bristles of a long, black plastic broom or the horsetail plant. It’s not uncommon for hunters to collect these beards as a keepsake following a successful hunt. When it comes to young turkeys, their beards are typically short and stand upright when they’re strutting around. In contrast, older birds with longer beards tend to have them hang low beneath the feather line. As turkeys age, their beards naturally grow in length.
Interestingly, wild turkeys tend to sport longer beards than their domesticated counterparts, with some reaching impressive lengths of up to a foot. While female turkeys do possess beards, they’re generally shorter and less prominent compared to those of males.
Spurs
Toms, like roosters, sport prominent spurs as a natural part of their turkey anatomy. In contrast, females can develop spurs too, but they tend to be more rounded and less pronounced. Interestingly, turkey feet also bear a striking resemblance to those of pterodactyls in my observation.
Feather Features
While it may seem challenging at first glance, distinguishing between male and female turkey feathering is indeed possible. In fact, when turkeys are stationary, both sexes display similar plumage characteristics. It’s only when males exhibit their characteristic strutting behavior that the differences in their feathers become strikingly apparent.
Tail Feather/Fan
Male turkeys are known for their impressive tail feathers, which bear a striking resemblance to those of the iconic peacock. These majestic plumes serve as a visual display, often standing erect like a fan to showcase their vibrant colors and intricate patterns. When in an upright position, male turkeys can skillfully angle their tails from left to right, much like a ship’s rudder, allowing them to direct their attention towards their intended audience.
In contrast, female turkeys also exhibit tail-fanning behavior, although they do not achieve the same level of vertical positioning and tend to maintain it for shorter durations. When used by females, this display is primarily employed for establishing dominance within their social hierarchy rather than solely for showmanship purposes.
Wing Feathers
Males’ wing feathers are a key aspect of their display and combat prowess, rather than being primarily used for flight. When at rest, these feathers fold neatly against the body, blending in with the belly plumage. In contrast to female turkeys, males will often drop their wings to the ground level during courtship displays, exposing them fully to onlookers.
This behavior is particularly notable on rough or uneven terrain, where the feathers may become worn or damaged due to scraping and sanding. Males also utilize their wings as a means of intimidation, holding them away from their body to appear more formidable when defending themselves. Furthermore, they will actively strike with their wings, employing them like arms to subdue opponents.
Additionally, during mating rituals, males will wrap their wings around submissive females to secure their position.
Strutting, Spitting, and Drumming
Turkeys’ elaborate displays of wing and tail feathers are made possible by specialized muscles at the base of each feather. Male turkeys, or toms, can flex these muscles at will, allowing them to maintain an erect posture for extended periods. This impressive display is often referred to as strutting, where the tom showcases his plumage to potential mates or rivals. During strutting, males may also produce a peculiar sound with their beaks, often described as a ticking or tsking noise.
In some cases, this sound is accompanied by the ejection of a liquid substance. Some people refer to this behavior as ‘spitting.’In addition to spitting, turkeys also produce a drumming sound that originates from their body area. This low-pitched rumble bears some resemblance to a hydraulic or compression system in action. While there isn’t much information available on why turkeys engage in these behaviors, observing my own turkey, Woodford, has provided some insight.
He tends to exhibit strutting behavior more frequently around large groups of admirers or after prolonged periods of strutting. Spitting, in particular, seems to serve a functional purpose – it allows the tom to clear his nostrils and reposition his snood (the fleshy appendage that hangs from his beak) before taking a deep breath. The drumming sound appears to provide a power boost, enabling the tom to maintain his erect posture.
This behavior is often accompanied by a ripple effect throughout the turkey’s body, which may involve shuffling steps and a more pronounced tilt of the tail fan. Interestingly, some people claim that turkeys will spit and drum even when not strutting, although I’ve never personally witnessed this behavior. Furthermore, I’ve yet to hear a female turkey produce the distinctive drumming sound.
Molting
Just as chickens undergo an annual transformation of their plumage, turkeys too experience a similar phenomenon, known as molting. This natural process is essential for the birds’ well-being, especially after the rigors of the mating season. During this time, male turkeys can appear quite disheveled due to the wear and tear on their wing feathers from strutting and fighting.
Female turkeys, too, often require a fresh set of feathers before winter sets in, having been battered by the mating process.
Two More Tom Traits
Toms, being male turkeys, possess not one but two distinctive characteristics that are rarely observed in their female counterparts. These unique traits set them apart from the hens and make them a fascinating subject of study.
Gobbling
The distinctive sound of Toms gobbling is a common occurrence, often accompanied by loud, rapid gurgling noises. This vocalization serves as a means for them to communicate with their fellow fowl, emitting high-pitched sounds that prompt responses from other birds in the area. In addition to facilitating social interactions, Tom’s gobbled calls can also be used to alert others of potential threats or dangers.
Interestingly, this behavior is reciprocated when humans participate by making similar gurgling noises, often leading to a delightful and entertaining experience for homesteaders who enjoy engaging with these birds.
Chest Bump
In a peculiar display reminiscent of sumo wrestlers, Toms engage in a ritualistic chest-bumping ceremony that rivals the grandeur of their avian counterparts – turkeys. As they puff out their chests, it’s as if they’re performing a majestic dance, their impressive plumage on full display. The spectacle is truly awe-inspiring to behold.
Conclusion
From this point forward, you’ll be well-versed in the intricacies of turkey anatomy. With this newfound knowledge, you’ll no longer be left scratching your head when someone enthusiastically praises their bird’s impressive snood length. The subtle nuances of turkey physiology will become second nature to you, allowing you to effortlessly converse about these fascinating creatures.
