Rick and Morty is a hilarious sci-fi show on Adult Swim that is no stranger to scientific references. A recent episode brought up an unexpected natural history fact that left fans wondering. The climax of “Rick & Morty’s Thanksploitation Spectacular” presented an interesting question about turkeys. Do turkeys sleep in trees? Here’s how it came up:
Let’s set the scene. Thanksgiving in Washington, D. C. A huge cornfield, summoned by an ancient alien shaman, has sprung up on the National Mall. Amidst the dense stalks, two ghoulish sets of extraterrestrial warriors fight an army of hybrid turkey-human super-soldiers. It’s obvious that the Turkish soldiers want to conquer the entire world and convert everyone to Turkish culture. Rick, Morty, and the president of the United States confront the turkey-monster’s leader. He’s a turkey-hybrid-clone of POTUS (because of course he is). Rick and Morty tell Turkey-president that the jig is up and that he should surrender. The Turkey President responds:
Action resumes without further discussion of this out-of-left-field nature tidbit. POTUS and Turkey-President engage in a vicious hand-to-hand struggle. Meanwhile, Rick and Morty blast off to follow the Washington Monument into space (again, because, duh). Their goal is to stop it from unleashing cosmic waves that will turn the remaining American turkeys into supersoldiers. In a momentary pause in the chaos, Morty, seeming hesitantly thoughtful, asks his Grandpa:
Rick’s usual belching nihilism cuts him off abruptly, leaving the rest of us hanging with Morty.
While you might picture owls nestled in tree branches for the night, you might be surprised to learn that turkeys also roost in trees. But unlike owls, turkeys don’t build cozy nests. They simply find a comfortable branch and tuck their heads into their feathers for a good night’s sleep.
Why Do Turkeys Sleep in Trees?
Turkeys are nocturnal animals, meaning they are most active at night. This makes them vulnerable to predators, especially on the ground. By sleeping in trees, turkeys stay out of reach of most predators and can enjoy a peaceful night’s rest.
How High Do Turkeys Sleep in Trees?
Turkeys prefer to sleep in the highest branches they can reach. This provides them with the best view of their surroundings and helps them stay safe from predators. Some turkeys have been known to sleep as high as 30 feet in the air!
What Kind of Trees Do Turkeys Sleep In?
Turkeys are not picky about the type of tree they sleep in, as long as it is tall and sturdy enough to support their weight. They have been spotted roosting in oak, sycamore, pine, and cottonwood trees.
Do Turkeys Sleep in the Same Tree Every Night?
Some turkeys prefer to sleep in the same tree every night, while others like to switch things up and find a new roosting spot each night. This may depend on the availability of food and water, as well as the presence of predators.
Do Turkeys Sleep All Night?
Turkeys typically sleep for about 8-10 hours each night. However they may wake up and move around during the night if they are disturbed or if they need to find food or water.
Fun Facts About Turkeys
- Turkeys are social animals and live in flocks of up to 20 birds.
- Male turkeys are called toms, females are called hens, and young turkeys are called poults.
- Turkeys can fly short distances, but they are not very good at it.
- Turkeys have excellent eyesight and can see up to a mile away.
- Turkeys are native to North America, but they have been introduced to many other parts of the world.
So, the next time you see a turkey perched high in a tree, remember that it’s not just resting, it’s getting a good night’s sleep!
Was Turkey Man telling the truth? Do turkeys really sleep in trees?
I’m excited to report that this is a pretty simple answer: Yes, absolutely. In actuality, the Rick and Morty authors are correct that turkeys can fly and spend the night in trees. They are also right about the reason that they do this. Specifically, to avoid being turkey dinner for any of their natural predators.
I’m not particularly surprised at this accuracy. The actual science is usually fairly well-researched, despite the show’s absurdity and blatant disregard for narrative decorum, as I previously stated. It is often based (at least at the beginning) on some observed or theoretical concepts in our universe. Apparently (and to my great pleasure) this extends to natural history knowledge.
Back to turkeys, though. One of the heaviest flying birds in North America is the Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), which most Americans just refer to as “turkey.” As a point of comparison, the average weight of the Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), the national bird of the United States, is only about 9 pounds. Males weighing up to 24 pounds (11 kg) are not uncommon, and there are occasional individuals up to 30 pounds and beyond! This is despite the eagle’s whopping wingspan usually exceeding 6 feet.
Too big for the air: Can turkeys fly?
Given that Wild turkeys are absolutely beefy, it’s surprising that they can fly at all. Realistically, they rarely seem to do any flying without a really good reason to do so. The heavier the bird, the harder it is to get all that bulk moving. That’s a lot of work!.
As a result, female birds—who typically weigh only about half as much as male birds—get flu more frequently than male birds. That difference in size is what naturalists call sexual dimorphism (but more on that in another post!). Another interesting point is that domestic turkeys are too large to fly because they are bred to be much heavier and meatier than wild turkeys (for obvious reasons). The president of Turkey made sure to specify “in the wild,” so I guess he was correct about that as well.
Turkey Poults Roosting mbo blog
FAQ
How long will a turkey stay in a tree?
Why do turkeys roost in trees?
Where do wild turkeys like to sleep?
Do wild turkeys nest in trees?
Do turkeys sleep in trees?
Turkeys are omnivores and may eat insects and small creatures. They can display hunting skills. Turkeys sleep in trees as part of their nightly roosting habits. Wild turkeys can reach speeds of up to 20-25 miles per hour. Turkeys have a unique digestive system with two stomachs. Turkeys do sleep in trees to stay safe from ground predators.
Do wild turkeys sleep at night?
As diurnal birds, they are active during the day and sleep at night. In this section, we will explore various aspects of wild turkeys’ sleeping habits, including where they sleep, what kind of trees they sleep in, and how they protect themselves while sleeping.
How do turkeys sleep?
All About Birds describes turkey sleeping habits by explaining that turkeys fly into the lower limbs of trees at sundown and move from branch to branch to a higher roost spot. This debunks the most common myth about turkeys, which is that they can’t fly.
Where do turkeys sleep in winter?
Wild turkeys love to sleep in trees during winter. Most times, they stay in areas where food is easily accessible. During the day, they hunt for food and rest up in the trees at night. Domesticated turkeys sleep in brooders in enclosed pens. They love sleeping in groups during winter for warmth and safety. Where Do Baby Turkeys Sleep?