8 Things You Didn’t Know About Turkeys: From Flying Speeds to Snoods and More!

Get ready to gobble up some fascinating facts about America’s favorite Thanksgiving bird!

We all know and love the delicious turkey that graces our Thanksgiving tables, but how much do we really know about these amazing creatures? Buckle up, because we’re about to uncover some surprising and delightful facts about turkeys that will make you appreciate them even more.

1 Turkeys Can Fly Up to 55 MPH!

Those seemingly clumsy birds you see strutting around the barnyard are actually capable of impressive feats of flight. While they may not soar through the sky like eagles, wild turkeys can reach speeds of up to 55 miles per hour in short bursts, often to escape predators. Domesticated turkeys, however, are bred for meat production and have lost some of their flying ability due to their larger size.

2. That Fleshy Thing Above Their Beak is Called a “Snood”

That funny-looking, rubbery appendage hanging above a male turkey’s beak is called a snood. This caruncle, normally small and flaccid, plays a crucial role in attracting mates. During courtship rituals, the snood becomes engorged with blood, growing two to three times its size, signaling to female turkeys that the male is ready to impress.

3. Male Turkeys Can Change the Color of Their Heads!

Get ready for some mood lighting! When a male turkey gets excited or agitated, the bare skin on its head transforms into a vibrant red hue. When feeling calm, their heads turn white, while a more passive attitude results in a mix of blue and white. This color-changing ability adds to their already impressive display during mating season.

4. Male Turkeys are Called “Toms” While Females are Called “Hens”

Forget the myth about Ben Franklin naming turkeys “toms” after Thomas Jefferson. In actuality, the word “tomcat,” which is used to characterize a wild, virulent male akin to the dominant male turkey, is where the name “tom” comes from. Juvenile males are called “jakes,” while young females are known as “jennys. “.

5. Every Turkey Has Its Own Unique Voice

Turkeys are not just delicious, they’re also surprisingly vocal. The mating process involves a complex symphony of gobbles, yelps, and other sounds. The tom’s loud gobble can travel up to a mile, attracting hens and warning off other males. Hens respond with yelps to signal their location. In total, turkeys can make around 20 distinct vocalizations to communicate their intentions and emotions.

6. Benjamin Franklin Wanted the Turkey to be the National Bird

Surprisingly, Benjamin Franklin thought that the turkey was a better national symbol of the United States than the bald eagle. He called the bald eagle a “bird of bad moral character” and complimented the turkey on its bravery and battle readiness. But in the end, the bald eagle emerged victorious, making the turkey the star of Thanksgiving feasts.

7. The Average Turkey Has 5,000 to 6,000 Feathers

That’s a lot of feathers! Compared to the average bird, which has around 1,000 to 2,000 feathers, turkeys are exceptionally well-feathered. The toms have an impressive fan of 18 long tail feathers, adding to their majestic appearance.

8. Around 280 Million Turkeys are Sold Annually for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving wouldn’t be the same without a turkey on the table. Every year, a staggering 280 million turkeys are sold for the holiday, accounting for 7 billion pounds of consumption. This translates to a whopping 3 billion dollars in sales, making the turkey a significant part of the American Thanksgiving tradition.

So, there you have it! These fascinating facts about turkeys show that there’s more to these birds than meets the eye. From their impressive flying abilities to their unique vocalizations and colorful personalities, turkeys are truly remarkable creatures.