In 1782, the turkey narrowly missed out on the bald eagle for being named the national bird of the United States. However, as a symbol of family gatherings and gratitude, the appeal of the turkey throughout the country remains strong. Groups of wild turkeys have roamed North America for centuries and since being domesticated, they also rank as one of the most widespread poultry species kept by farmers. But is a group of turkeys referred to as a flock, a colony, or something different?
Gregarious, sociable birds and turkeys are often gathered in sizable groups, both in the wild and when raised domestically. There isn’t one single name to describe these groups, instead, they vary according to circumstances and include flock, gang, rafter, gaggle, and even posse.
Keep reading to find out when different collective terms for a gathering of turkeys should be used, as well as some fascinating insight into how these noisy, iconic poultry organize themselves within their social groups.
Gregarious, sociable birds, turkeys are often seen gathered in sizable groups, both in the wild and when they are raised domestically
Turkeys are social and vocal birds that have some interesting collective nouns used to describe groups of them. If you’ve ever wondered what a group of turkeys is called, you’re not alone! This common question has multiple fun answers.
In this article, we’ll cover the various terms used for groups of turkeys, including males, females, juveniles, and more. We’ll also look at why these birds congregate in flocks and some of their unique behaviors.
The Most Common Terms for Turkey Groups
The most common collective nouns for groups of turkeys are:
- A rafter of turkeys
- A gaggle of turkeys
- A flock of turkeys
Rafter is the most widely used term and likely comes from the tendency of turkeys to roost or perch up high at night, often on rafters in barns.
Gaggle references the gabbling, gobbling vocalizations turkeys make to communicate with each other. Their calls can sound like “gah-gah-gah”.
Flock is a generic term used for many species of birds that congregate in groups. It refers to turkeys traveling, feeding or resting together.
Origins of the Name “Rafter of Turkeys”
Although the exact origins are uncertain, the term “rafter of turkeys” likely comes from the roosting behavior of these large birds.
Wild turkeys prefer to sleep high up in trees at night to avoid predators like coyotes, foxes, and bobcats. Being up in the branches keeps them safely out of reach.
Domestic turkeys retain this instinct and will try to fly up to rafters near the roof when kept in a barn. When multiple turkeys line up on the wooden rafters to snooze, the name “rafter of turkeys” was born.
Other Fun Terms for Turkey Groups
Beyond the main names, there are also some more colorful terms used to describe turkey flocks:
- A gang of turkeys
- A death row of turkeys
- A thanksgiving of turkeys
- A run of turkeys
- A herd of turkeys
Young male turkeys are sometimes called a “gang” since they occasionally mob older males as a group.
The morbid term “death row” arose from turkeys being fattened up for holiday meals.
“Thanksgiving of turkeys” also comes from their prominence at Thanksgiving feasts.
Names for Male, Female, and Juvenile Turkey Groups
Male turkeys go by different names as they mature:
- Jakes – Juvenile males
- Toms – Adult males
A group of male turkeys may be called a “bachelor flock” or a “gang of jakes” before breeding season when they congregate with females.
Female turkeys are called:
- Hens – Adult females
- Jennies – Juvenile females
There’s no special term just for groups of female turkeys. They are simply called a “flock of hens” or “brood of hens”.
Baby turkeys are known as poults. Unfortunately, there’s no cute name for a group of poults either.
Typical Turkey Flock Sizes
On average, flocks of turkeys are relatively small compared to other flocking bird species:
- Wild turkey flocks range from 15-50 birds typically.
- During mating season, flocks may swell up to 100-200 turkeys.
- After breeding, flock sizes reduce again.
In contrast, some other birds like crows can flock in groups of over 1,000 individuals!
Why Turkeys Form Flocks
Turkeys flock together for multiple reasons:
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Safety in numbers – Being in a group improves vigilance against predators like coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and hawks. More eyes and ears on guard make the flock more secure.
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Mating opportunities – Large flocks provide more potential mates during breeding season without intense male competition. Dominant males may mate with 5-10 hens.
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Social benefits – Turkeys form bonds and relationships within flocks. The companionship provides comfort, familiarity, and structure.
When Turkeys Flock Together
The flocking habits of wild turkeys change throughout the year:
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In winter, flocks contain only males or only females. The flocks stay near each other.
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In early spring, the male and female flocks merge together just prior to breeding season.
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Large mixed flocks form with lots of males displaying to attract female mates.
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After mating, flock sizes decrease again as hens break off to nest and raise poults alone. Toms form smaller bachelor flocks.
So next time you see a group of turkeys, feel free to refer to them as a rafter, gaggle, flock, gang, or any of the other fun turkey group names!
The Social Structure of Turkey Groups
Turkeys have a very well-defined social hierarchy, with specific roles and groupings according to gender and age. Read on to learn more about the fascinating social pecking order of turkeys in the wild.
Wild turkeys have a very clear social structure, with each level being dominant over the layer below. During the breeding season, this dominance hierarchy is particularly obvious, with alpha males at the head. The most aggressive alpha males may even attempt to dominate humans that they see as a competitor, using pecking and physical intimidation techniques.
Larger, more confrontational turkeys have a higher status than more subordinate, smaller birds. This order is established from a young age, and only changes when an older dominant male becomes weak or dies, and his position is then assumed by a younger, fitter bird.
Wild turkey flocks are usually segregated by sex and age class into four groupings: adult gobblers, jake-only flocks, adult hens without any offspring, and adult hens with young chicks. Pairs may be seen associating in spring, and it’s not unusual for hens to break away from groups during the breeding season to establish safe spots to nest alone.
Wild Turkeys during the breeding season. During the breeding season, this dominance hierarchy is particularly obvious, with alpha males at the head
Turkeys on the Farm vs. Wild Turkeys
There are between 6 and 7 million wild turkeys living in the US, present in every state except Alaska. In comparison, around 210 million turkeys are estimated to be being raised in captivity on around 2,500 farms across the country. Read on to learn more about the differences in how they live.
In the wild, turkey groups form naturally, with well-established pecking orders based on age, size and dominant status. They are particularly intelligent birds, and their interactions and role within their flock are evident when they are foraging for food or contending for roosting spots.
Turkeys raised commercially are separated into male and female groups after hatching, and their entire social system is structured according to their age and life stage. Turkey eggs are brooded in incubators, rather than by brooding females, and the natural hierarchy of mixed groups is absent.
Calling to Groups of Turkeys | Early Season Turkey Hunting
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