The gobble of a turkey, a sound synonymous with Thanksgiving and fall festivities, is more than just a loud noise. It’s a complex communication system, a language of gobbles yelps, putts and clucks that reveals the inner world of these fascinating birds.
A Gobble for Every Occasion:
The gobble, the most iconic turkey sound, is primarily used by male turkeys, also known as gobblers or toms, to announce their presence to females and rivals. This booming call, carrying for up to a mile, is a declaration of dominance and a siren song for potential mates.
But the gobble is not the only trick in the turkey’s vocal repertoire. They have a whole symphony of sounds at their disposal each with its own unique meaning and purpose:
- Cluck: A soft, repetitive sound used by hens to communicate with their young and other hens.
- Putt: A short, low-pitched sound made by both males and females, often used as a greeting or to express contentment.
- Purr: A soft, continuous sound made by hens during courtship and nesting.
- Yelp: A high-pitched, sharp sound used by hens to attract males and by young turkeys to call for their mothers.
- Cutts: A series of short, sharp yelps made by hens to warn others of danger.
- Whine: A long, drawn-out sound made by hens to express distress or anxiety.
- Cackle: A loud, raucous sound made by hens after laying an egg.
- Kee-kee: A high-pitched, chattering sound made by young turkeys.
The Science of the Gobble:
The gobble is produced by a specialized vocal organ called the syrinx located at the base of the trachea. Air passing through the syrinx vibrates the vocal cords, creating the distinctive gobble sound. The size and shape of the syrinx, as well as the length of the trachea determine the pitch and tone of the gobble.
More Than Just Noise:
The vocalizations of turkeys play a vital role in their social interactions, reproduction, and survival. Gobbles and yelps help establish dominance hierarchies, attract mates, and warn of danger. By understanding the language of turkeys, we can gain a deeper appreciation for these intelligent and fascinating creatures.
So, the next time you hear a turkey gobble, remember that it’s not just a random noise. It’s a complex communication system, a symphony of sounds that reveals the inner world of these remarkable birds.
There are a wide variety of different sounds or vocalizations made by wild turkeys. Listen to them here.
Hunting wild turkeys successfully involves a number of factors, such as calling them at the appropriate time and location. Gaining an understanding of the unique noises that wild turkeys make in various circumstances can improve your chances of obtaining a successful harvest and improve your overall skill as a wild turkey hunter.
Sounds courtesy of Denny Gulvas of Gulvas Wildlife Adventures.
A series of loud yelps, typically a little more forceful and prolonged than a typical series of yelps, constitute the adult hen assembly call. The assembly yelp is used by a hen to assemble her flock or young poults. It is a good call in the fall when trying to call a scattered flock back together. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The cluck consists of one or more short, staccato notes. The plain cluck often includes two or three single note clucks. Usually used by one bird to attract the attention of another, it’s a good call to let a gobbler know that a hen is waiting for him when he approaches. If Gobbler starts to hang up, this is a great call to try and get him to come into range. Additionally, you can use it to quietly alert a gobbler to your presence while the birds are still on the roost. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The cluck and purr is a cluck followed by a rolling, almost staccato call. It is often associated with flock talk or the feeling of contentment. Turkeys respond well to this call, which is usually not very loud but can occasionally be amplified, because it reassures them as they approach your position. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
Loud, sharp clucks that are often mixed with yelping. Cutting is a sign that turkeys are excited, not alarmed. Cutting has several uses in hunting. You can cut back in an effort to bring a hen that is cutting and a gobbler that is henned up to you. You will want to mimic her calls, while cutting off her vocalizations and being a bit more excited. This strategy’s objective is to entice a dominant hen to spar with you; frequently, she will bring the gobbler along. You can also cutt when you have tried soft calling to a gobbler that is hung up. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
Similar sounds and notes as a plain yelp but much more excited, rapid and with more volume. This is not a sign of alarm, but indicates that a turkey is worked up about something. If a gobbler is henned up, you could be able to lure him to you by starting a quarrel with the flock’s dominant hen. You could entice the hen and the gobbler with her if you give her an enthusiastic yell and interrupt her vocalizations with your own calls. A happy yelp can also be used after you’ve attempted soft calling a gobbler who has hung up. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
Fly Down or Fly-up Cackle
A cackle typically consists of three to ten loud, staccato notes that are unevenly spaced out and get louder as the call gets closer to its conclusion. Though it can also be heard when a bird is approaching a roost, the cackle is typically connected with a bird departing the roost. A fly-down cackle is good call to tell a gobbler that a hen is on the ground. However, a fly-down cackle often works best if the gobbler is already on the ground before you call. If not, the tom might remain on the roost and wait for what he believes to be a hen turkey to approach him before taking off. When looking for roosted toms, a fly-up cackle can also be a useful tool because it may entice one of them to gobble Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The gobble is a loud, rapid gurgling sound made by male turkeys. One of the main vocalizations of a male wild turkey, the gobble is mainly used in the spring to alert hens to his presence. When using a gobble, hunters should exercise caution, especially on public land where it might draw other hunters to your location. It can also be a double-edged sword. A gobble could attract a dominant tom seeking a fight, or it could scare away less dominant birds hoping to escape a good beating. It is often used as a call of last resort. But, it can also be used successfully in the late evening to entice a tom to eat the roost. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The kee kee is usually a three-note call that lasts about two seconds. A variation of the call, the kee kee run, is merely a kee kee followed by a yelp. The kee kee is the call of lost young turkeys and variations are also made by adult birds. Its often associated with fall hunting and is used to reassemble a scattered flock. During the spring, you can use it to sound more natural, especially on public land where it could help you stand out from other hunters who use yelps and cutts. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The fundamental turkey sound is the plain yelp, which is frequently produced by a series of single-note vocalizations. The simple yelp is a fundamental form of communication among turkeys, though its meaning can vary based on the hen’s usage. It is also commonly used by a hen to communicate with a gobbler during mating season. This is a basic turkey hunting call. If you can yelp, you have a chance of being able to call in a turkey. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
Purring is a soft, rolling call turkeys make when content. It is a kind of low-pitched speech used by turkeys to communicate and is frequently produced by feeding them. This call is not very loud, but it can be useful to comfort turkeys when they approach your location. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The putt is a single or several sharp notes. The putt is typically interpreted as an alarm, indicating that the bird has heard or seen something and is warning of impending danger. When a gobbler is within range but you are unable to get him to stop or raise his head, this can be helpful. However, before putting at a gobbler it is best to have your shotgun ready and on target. You won’t have much time to shoot after setting off the alarm because the bird will take off at the first sign of movement. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The tree call is a sequence of gentle, muffled yelps made by a roosted bird, which occasionally becomes louder as the moment of takeoff approaches. Maybe accompanied by soft clucking. It is generally acknowledged as a call to communicate with others in a flock. It can be used to let a gobbler on the roost know you are there. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
Wild Turkey Gobble – Use This Sound While Hunting
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