The beard is one of the most distinguishable features of the wild turkey. This cluster of modified feathers protruding prominently from the breast is standard equipment for male turkeys, also called toms or gobblers. But what about the females of the species, known as hens? Do turkey hens also sport these unusual feather formations?
The answer is yes although in a more limited capacity. While beards are nearly ubiquitous among male turkeys, only around 10% of hens grow these specialized feathers. And when present the beards are generally substantially shorter and wispier on females.
Why Do Some Hens Have Beards?
The reason behind the existence of bearded hens remains uncertain Several theories have been proposed
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Genetic diversity: When wild turkeys were severely depleted in the mid-1900s, wildlife biologists trapped and transported birds across state lines to reestablish populations. If a higher proportion of bearded hens were unintentionally selected for these efforts, it could have increased the beard gene frequency in some regions.
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Ancestral trait: Since the trait appears in both sexes, albeit much more commonly in males, it may be an ancestral feature that has been largely selected against in females over time. The few bearded hens today could represent remnants of this primitive characteristic.
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Developmental quirk: There may be no adaptive purpose to hen beards. Their sporadic development could simply be a random developmental variation.
Regardless of origins, the rarity of bearded hens makes them stand out when encountered in the wild. But it does not impact their survival or reproduction.
Hen Beard vs. Tom Beard
The most noticeable difference between male and female turkey beards is their length. Tom beards are much longer, averaging around 10 inches. Exceptional specimens can reach lengths over 1 foot. The beard grows continuously throughout a male’s life at an average rate of 5 inches per year.
In contrast, hen beards max out at just a couple inches in length. They are thinner and wispier as well. Rather than the coarse hair-like texture of tom beards, hen beards feel like soft feathers.
Other dissimilarities:
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Tom beards hang prominently, while hen beards often stick out at an angle or curl against the body.
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Some toms sport multiple beards, but hens never have more than one.
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Tom beards are black or dark brown. Hen beards can be lighter brown, tan or even white.
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Tom beards develop starting around 5 months old. Hen beard development may happen slightly later.
Purpose of the Beard
For toms, the beard is an important visual display feature. Along with the fleshy wattles and snoods, it is used to attract females during mating season displays. Longer beards are believed to signal health, strength, age and dominance to competitors and potential mates.
Since hen beards are so small, irregular and uncommon, they likely serve no practical purpose. Their presence is merely incidental.
Identifying Bearded Hens
When observing wild turkeys, beards are a handy shortcut clue for identifying males. But with the caveat that some hens have them too, other characteristics should also be noted:
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Head feathers: Feathers on hens cover the head fully, unlike the bare patch on tom’s foreheads.
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Leg spurs: Found only on tom legs, these sharp keratin spikes are for fighting other males.
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Size: Hens are noticeably smaller in stature compared to toms.
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Colors: Hens show more subtle earth-tone colors while toms are boldly iridescent.
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Grouping: Toms are often solitary or in small male groups most of the year while hens travel in large flocks.
So while beards may not be 100% indicative of a tom turkey, they are very helpful visual clues, especially when corroborated by other gender differences. The existence of bearded hens is a quirky phenomenon, adding to the uniqueness of these charismatic gamebirds.
Why do turkeys have beards? They won’t tell us, but we have a few ideas!
No one knows exactly why turkeys have beards, but it is a general belief that the beard on a male turkey is used to show its dominance. Picking the right mate is especially important in the wild. Passing on strong genetic traits is important for the survival of the species. Often males fight for the honor of being the best and strongest in any species. Turkeys are no exception, but why fight if you do not have to? Fighting results in injuries and sometimes death.
Being able to display good health and genetics is a lot easier to do. Birds typically do this through the color of their feathers. During mating season is when their feathers are the most vibrant and colorful. Male turkeys or toms have feathers that have a bright sheen to them so they glisten in the sun while they strut. A turkey beard comes out of their chest as a modified set of feathers that never fall off. A beard will start growing shortly after the bird is hatched. It grows throughout their life; a turkey with a long beard should be an older bird indicating it has survived longer, is stronger and more dominant. This would allow its offspring to be strong and have a greater chance of survival.
A short beard could be because of poor health. If the bird is struggling to eat well, the protein fibers the beard is made of become weaker. Sometimes you can visually see a change in color on the beard or a crimp in it indicating a change in growth.
It could also be a result of bad genes. Sometimes a turkey just will not grow a thick, full beard. This could prevent the tom from being selected as a mate. Merriam’s and some hybrid species are known to not have long, thick beards.
Nature also plays a role in controlling beard length as it drags on the ground and breaks off as they feed. In colder climates, ice and snow can accumulate on a beard causing it to break. The longest beard ever recorded was nearly 23 inches; anything over 12 inches is considered extremely unique.
There are some cases where toms will have multiple beards. It is not uncommon to see a double beard, but triples and beyond are considered very rare.
Turkey Hunting. DOES THAT HEN HAVE A BEARD?!
FAQ
How rare is a hen turkey with a beard?
Why does my turkey hen have a beard?
Do some female turkeys have beards?
How can you tell if a turkey is male or female?
Do Turkey hens have beards?
Most turkey hens do not have beards. About 10 percent to 20 percent do have them, but they are much smaller than gobbler’s. Less than 10 percent of hens have a single small spur. Bearded hens can reproduce and raise offspring. Turkey beards grow from the chest of gobblers.
Do turkeys have beards?
You’ll soon find answers. Male turkeys, called gobblers – and some female turkeys, called hens – have beards. Only about 10 to 20 percent of hens grow beards, and it’s likely a genetic mutation. Photo Credit: John Hafner If you’ve seen a male wild turkey, you likely noticed a shock of long, dark, fibrous bristles hanging from its breast plumage.
Do hens have beards?
Some hens — maybe one in 20, depending on the location — also grow beards. Typically, hen beards are thin and measure 6 to 8 inches. The beard is a collection of filaments, or bristles, protruding from the breast of a male — and sometimes female — turkey.
Are turkey beards a trophy?
Hunters often consider turkey beards and spurs – no matter their size – as trophies, and collect them as keepsakes or display them with fan mounts. And because many states let hunters shoot bearded hens, beards and spurs often help hunters determine which turkeys are legal targets from afar.