It can be difficult to determine a turkey’s sex, but with a little knowledge, it is relatively simple.
Male turkeys, or “toms,” have larger bodies and a noticeable fleshy protuberance on their bills called a “snood. ” ”.
In this guide, we’ll discuss some of the most significant differences between male and female turkeys and offer tips on how to identify them.
Identifying the sex of a turkey can be crucial for various reasons, whether you’re a hunter, breeder, or simply curious about these fascinating birds While both male and female turkeys share some similarities, there are distinct physical characteristics and behaviors that can help you differentiate between the sexes. This comprehensive guide will delve into the key features of male and female turkeys, providing you with the knowledge to confidently identify them
Physical Differences:
Feathers:
- Head: Male turkeys lack head feathers, while females have feathers covering their heads.
- Breast: Male turkeys have black-tipped breast feathers, while females have brown-tipped feathers.
- Tail: Male turkeys have iridescent, metallic feathers with a sheen, while female feathers are less shiny.
Body Size:
- Overall: Male turkeys are generally larger than females, with females being 33-50% smaller.
- Legs: Male turkeys have longer legs than females, with an average leg length of 6 inches compared to 4.5 inches for females.
Spurs:
- Presence: Male turkeys have sharp spurs on the back of their legs, while females lack these spurs.
- Size: Adult male spurs are typically at least 0.5 inches long, while juvenile male spurs are shorter.
Beard:
- Presence: Male turkeys have a beard, a line of hair-like feathers running down their chest, while females typically lack a beard.
- Size: The beard of a juvenile male turkey is shorter than that of an adult male.
Other Features:
- Snood: Both male and female turkeys have a snood, a fleshy growth hanging over the bill. However, the snood of an adult male is usually larger than that of a female.
- Caruncles: Both sexes have caruncles, fleshy growths on top of the head.
Behavioral Differences:
- Tail Fanning: Male turkeys often fan out their tail feathers into a fan shape, while females typically keep their tails down.
- Strutting: Male turkeys strut around with their tails fanned out, especially during breeding season. While females may occasionally strut, it’s less common.
- Aggression: Male turkey poults tend to be more territorial and aggressive than female poults.
Additional Tips:
- Vent Sexing: For baby turkeys, you can gently pick them up and examine the vent under their tail. A bumped vent indicates a male, while a flat vent indicates a female.
- Leg Movements: When you pick up a baby turkey, male poults will tuck their legs into their chest, while female poults will let their legs dangle.
- Observation: Pay attention to the turkey’s overall behavior and appearance. Males tend to be larger, more brightly colored, and more vocal than females.
You can confidently determine the sex of turkeys by being aware of the physical and behavioral differences between male and female turkeys. Whether you’re a hunter, a breeder, or just an interested bystander, knowing this will help you appreciate these amazing birds more.
Female Turkeys Are Smaller
Determining whether a turkey is male or female is easiest by looking at its size. Male turkeys, both wild and domesticated, are larger and heavier than females. The females are about 35 inches long and weigh 8 to 12 pounds, while the males weigh between 15 and 25 pounds and measure 45 to 48 inches in length.
Their weight fluctuates depending on food availability. Interestingly, their wingspan is quite similar, around 50-56 inches.
Female turkeys also have smaller and shorter legs than their male counterparts. A female turkey’s leg is on average 4. 5 inches long, whereas a male turkey’s leg is 6 inches long. Males also have sharp spurs on their legs, which are at least half an inch long.
How to Tell Young Turkey’s Gender
In their early years, poults, or baby turkeys, all have similar appearances, making it challenging to identify their gender. However, as they mature, they develop distinct characteristics that make gender identification easier.
The vent of a baby turkey, located beneath its tail and between its legs, can be used to determine its gender. If the vent appears bumpy, the poult is male; if it is flat, the poult is female.
You can also determine the gender of a chick by picking it up and observing whether it pulls its legs up or leaves them dangling. Male poults tend to tuck in their legs when picked up, while female poults keep their legs dangling.
Furthermore, compared to female poults, male poults exhibit greater territoriality and aggression toward other birds and their companions.
How to identify male and female wild turkeys?
FAQ
What does a female turkey look like?
Is there a difference between male and female turkey meat?
How can you tell the difference between male and female turkey tracks?
What is a male turkey called vs female turkey?
How do you know if a Turkey is male or female?
Pick up a young turkey (or “poult”) and see if its legs lift up or dangle down. Female poults let their legs dangle, while male poults pull their legs up. Female turkeys have feathers on their head, while males don’t. Take a close look at the turkey’s head—are there feathers that cover the surface, or is the turkey completely bald?
What are male turkeys called?
Male turkeys are called **toms or gobblers** . If you’re interested in learning more about turkeys, here are some fun facts: – Wild turkeys can run up to 25 miles per hour and fly up to 55
How do male and female turkeys differ?
Male and female turkeys have distinct physical characteristics based on their gender, showing what’s called sexual dimorphism. Below are the main physical traits that help tell them apart. Male turkeys are generally larger than hens, typically measuring around 39 to 49 inches in length.
How do you tell the sex of a baby turkey?
This is common in many bird species and is thought to be why their droppings are shaped differently. There are a few ways to sex poults, but the most accurate way to tell the sex of a baby turkey should be done by an expert to avoid hurting the bird or injuring them.