Why Did They Let the Turkey Join the Band?

The age-old riddle goes Why did they let the turkey join the band? Because he had the drumsticks! This silly joke contains a hint of truth – turkeys really do have their own built-in “drumsticks” in the form of their leg bones. Their drumstick-like legs allow turkeys to strut to their own beat. But why would a turkey want to join a band in the first place? Let’s take a closer look at the musical inclinations of these quirky birds

Turkeys Love to Sing and Strut

Wild turkeys are very vocal birds. They have a wide repertoire of gobbles, yelps, purrs, and other calls that they use to communicate with each other. The male turkeys, known as toms, are especially renowned for their distinctive gobbling. This gobbling serves both to attract females and to announce the tom’s presence on his territory.

Toms perform elaborate strutting displays during mating season to show off to potential mates They puff up their feathers, fan their tails, drag their wings, and strut in an exaggerated high-stepping march The drumstick-shaped legs accentuate the tom’s strutting with a rhythmic tapping. The tom punctuates his display with gobbles and other vocalizations. Clearly, turkeys have an innate sense of showmanship and rhythmic movement.

Drumming Displays Impress the Ladies

Not only do turkeys strut, but they also drum with their wings to make reverberating throbbing sounds. Toms often drum on hollow logs to amplify the sound The drumming serves to communicate over longer distances than gobbling alone

This drumming behavior likely evolved from when male turkeys would thump their wings against their bodies during strutting displays. Over time, the drumming became stylized into a way to impress females. The ladies judge prospective mates based on the quality of their elaborate mating displays. A tom who can drum up an impressive rhythm clearly demonstrates his fitness.

Turkey Calls Tap into Turkey Talks have long noticed the musical inclinations of turkeys. Turkey calling has been practiced as a hunting technique since ancient times. Tribes including the Cherokee developed turkey calls made from hollowed out wing bones of other birds. Modern turkey calls come in a wide array of styles, from pots and pegs to tubes and troughs.

An expert turkey caller can mimic the various turkey vocalizations, from excited yelps to mating purrs. This allows the hunter to talk to the turkeys in their own language. Specific calls are used to locate turkeys, lure them closer, and to keep them hanging around once they investigate. While effective, turkey calling requires much practice to perfect the right tones and rhythms.

Rockin’ Out Thanksgiving Style

Of course, the famous riddle about the musical turkey is meant in jest. But it does highlight the turkey’s natural drumming abilities and inclination to show off. As a centerpiece of many Thanksgiving celebrations, it seems fitting to imagine a turkey rocking out on the drums or guitar.

Several cartoons have depicted just that, with turkeys jamming on musical instruments as pilgrims look on. The turkey’s drumsticks tapping out a beat conjure an amusing image. And with turkeys’ boisterous vocalizations and strutting moves, they certainly have entertainer potential. A gobbling, drumming, dancing turkey would liven up any Thanksgiving band.

While real turkeys are unlikely to pick up drumsticks or join a band, their sounds and displays are musical in their own way. Next time you hear a turkey’s rhythmic gobble or see their exaggerated strutting, imagine them as the rock stars of the forest, putting on a show to impress potential mates. With his built-in drumsticks and flamboyant style, this bird was born to perform. No wonder the ladies find those drumming dudes so irresistible!