Turkeys are vocal creatures communicating with each other using a variety of calls and sounds. Understanding these calls can be helpful for both hunters and birdwatchers as it can provide insights into the behavior and intentions of turkeys. In this article, we will explore 11 common turkey calls and their meanings, helping you decipher the complex language of these fascinating birds.
Gobble
The gobble is perhaps the most iconic turkey call, and it is often associated with male turkeys during the breeding season. This loud, booming sound is designed to attract females and repel competing males. Gobblers will often gobble from their roosts in the morning and evening, and they may also gobble in response to other turkey calls.
Spit and Drum
The spit and drum is a less well-understood turkey call, but it is believed to be a form of aggression or dominance display. This call consists of a series of rapid clucks followed by a drumming sound, which is created by the turkey rapidly beating its wings against its body. Spit and drums are most often heard during the breeding season, but they can also be heard at other times of the year.
Plain Yelp
The plain yelp is a versatile turkey call that can be used in a variety of situations. It is a single, clear note that can be given by both male and female turkeys. Plain yelps are often used to communicate with other turkeys, and they can also be used to attract mates or to signal danger.
Tree Yelp
The tree yelp is similar to the plain yelp, but it is given from a higher perch, such as a tree branch. Tree yelps are often used by turkeys to communicate with each other when they are roosting or feeding in trees.
Lost Yelp
The lost yelp is a series of rapid yelps that are given by turkeys when they are separated from the flock. This call is a signal of distress, and it is often used to try to attract other turkeys to the lost bird’s location.
Assembly Yelp
The assembly yelp is a loud, raspy call that is given by young turkeys to signal to the flock that they are ready to move to a new location. This call is often used in the early morning hours, when turkeys are leaving their roosts.
Cackle
The cackle is a series of rapid, high-pitched notes that are given by turkeys as they fly down from their roosts or cross fences. This call is often used to signal to other turkeys that it is safe to follow.
Purrs
Purrs are soft, low-pitched sounds that are made by turkeys as they travel and feed. This call is used to maintain contact with the flock, and it can also be used to signal contentment or submission.
Plain Cluck
The plain cluck is a single, clear note that is given by both male and female turkeys. This call is often used to signal “come here” to other turkeys, and it can also be used to express contentment or submission.
Alarm Putt
The alarm putt is a series of sharp clucks that are followed by purrs. This call is a signal of danger, and it is often used to warn other turkeys of the presence of a predator.
Kee Kee
The kee kee is a high-pitched whistling sound that is most commonly used by young turkeys when they are lost or separated from the flock. This call is a signal of distress, and it is often used to try to attract other turkeys to the lost bird’s location.
Turkeys have a complex and fascinating language, and understanding their calls can provide valuable insights into their behavior and intentions. By learning to identify the different turkey calls, you can improve your chances of success when hunting or birdwatching.
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. A hen uses her assembly yelp to gather her flock or young poults. In the fall, it’s a good call to try to bring a dispersed flock back together. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The cluck consists of one or more short, staccato notes. Two or three single note clucks are frequently included in the plain cluck. 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 call that sounds like rolling, nearly staccato sounds. It is frequently connected to happy talk or flock mentality. 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 should imitate her calls, but you should stop her vocalizations and become a little more animated. This strategy’s objective is to entice a dominant hen to spar with you; frequently, she will bring the gobbler along. When you try soft calling a gobbler who has hung up, you can also cut off. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
Similar notes and sounds to a plain yelp, but much faster, louder, and more excited This is an indication that a turkey is agitated about something, but it is not cause for concern. 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 gobbler can be alerted to the presence of a hen on the ground by a fly-down cackle. Still, it’s usually best to call a gobbler that’s already on the ground with a fly-down cackle. 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.
Male turkeys make a loud, rapid gurgling sound called the gobble. 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.
Typically, the kee kee call consists of three notes and lasts for roughly two seconds. The kee kee run is a call variation that consists of just a kee kee and a yelp. The cry of missing juvenile turkeys is called kee kee, and adult birds can also make variations of it. It is utilized to bring a dispersed flock back together and is frequently connected to fall hunting. 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. During mating season, hens frequently utilize it to converse with gobblers. This is a basic turkey hunting call. You could possibly be able to call in a turkey if you can yelp. 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. But it’s best to have your shotgun ready and aimed before taking aim at a gobbler. 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 commonly understood to be a call to interact with other members of a flock. You can use it to signal to a gobbler on the roost that you are present. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
What Does a Turkey SAY?
FAQ
What sounds do a turkey make?
What is the gobble on a turkey called?
What does a turkey cluck mean?
What sound does a turkey make?
A turkey gobble is the best-known turkey sound. The gobble is the turkey version of crowing. When a turkey gobbles, they make loud gurgling sounds. This is one of the most recognized sounds these birds make. However, they usually gobble in the spring when the male announces to the females that he is close by.
What does a turkey call mean?
Turkeys communicate using a complex vocabulary. Saying the right thing at the right time may mean the difference between securing the main course for dinner and going home empty handed. Let’s examine 11 of the more common turkey calls and what they mean. The sound turkey hunters want to hear in the woods.
Do humans hear the sounds made by wild turkeys?
Humans rarely hear most of the sounds made by wild turkeys. For communication purposes, they have developed a distinctive set of sounds. Some sounds are produced to communicate with a particular subset of birds or by members of a particular gender or age group.
What does it mean when a hen cuts a Turkey?
Cutting is a turkey sound that indicates a hen is excited. If a hen is talking to a male, another hen will make cutting sounds that are louder than the ones of the first hen. The first hen, however, will not take this lightly and will look for her rivals to drive them away. Strutting males make drumming and spitting sounds.