Happy Thanksgiving, readers! In celebration of the holiday and the delicious meal soon to be consumed, we’re sharing five fun facts about the animal that almost became the United States national bird.
With their large, plump bodies and seemingly awkward gait, wild turkeys don’t appear to be particularly swift animals. But looks can be deceiving. When needed, wild turkeys are capable of bursts of impressive speed and agility.
So exactly how fast can these large game birds run when on foot? And how fast can they fly when taking to the air? Let’s take a closer look at the surprising speed and athleticism of the wild turkey.
On Land: Wild Turkeys Can Hit 25 MPH Running
While wild turkeys typically walk at a leisurely pace while feeding and traveling, they can sprint at eye-opening velocity to escape predators or display for females
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Maximum Running Speed: 25 mph. This is their top speed when escaping danger on foot.
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Typical Running Speed 10-15 mph, Their normal running pace is more moderate,
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For Comparison: The average human jogs at 5-8 mph. An Olympic sprinter may reach nearly 28 mph.
So a wild turkey at full throttle can outrun most humans And they can sustain these swift speeds for short bursts over distances up to a quarter mile,
Their strong legs, lean bodies and lightweight bones all factor into their speed. Their powerful thighs allow them to escape most predators on foot.
In Flight: Wild Turkeys Reach 55 MPH
Turkeys are also capable of explosive velocity when taking flight:
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Maximum Air Speed: 55 mph. They can achieve these speeds using a powerful takeoff.
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Typical Air Speed: 25-35 mph. Their normal sustained flight speed is closer to this range.
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For Comparison: Peregrine falcons can dive at over 200 mph. Geese fly around 50 mph during migration.
So while not as speedy as some birds, wild turkeys are still capable of quick, evasive flight. Their large wings, weighing up to 1.25 pounds, allow them to quickly gain altitude and speed.
Their flight abilities also aid males during ostentatious mating displays as they maneuver to impress females.
Agility and Quick Reflexes Help Them Thrive
Beyond flat-out speed, wild turkeys have impressive agility and reaction times helping them flourish in the wild:
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Quick Takeoffs: They can explode from standstill to flight rapidly to avoid predators.
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Tight Maneuvering: Able to swiftly change direction in flight and on the ground.
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Fast Head Movements: They jerk their heads quickly to spot any threats.
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Strong Perching: Grasp branches tightly with claws to swiftly move up trees.
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Quick Wing Flapping: Allows sharp aerial movements like avoiding collisions.
These athletic traits minimize their chances of being caught by hungry predators. They evolved as a key survival adaptation.
Turkey Displays Showcase Speed and Agility
During spring mating rituals, male turkeys reveal their speed and agility through elaborate displays.
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Fast Strutting: Males aggressively strut back and forth, rapidly turning to face females.
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Impressive Flights: Males fly up to perches, maneuvering quickly to land.
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Quick Wing Brushing: They brush wings against brush for dramatic sound effects.
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Rapid Drumming: Males drum their wings rapidly against their inflated chest.
These athletic actions help entice fertile females to mate with the dominant males. The males able to showcase their fitness have greater breeding success.
Habitat Allows Turkeys to Maximize Speed
Wild turkeys thrive in habitats offering cover for escape and open areas to reach top speeds:
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Forest Edges: Allow quick sprints between woodlands and open spaces.
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Sparse Woodlands: Ample room to run within more open understory.
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Grasslands: Open areas to escape aerial and ground predators.
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Brushlands: Bushes provide refuge while adjacent patches of open ground give room to sprint.
In these environments, wild turkeys can fully leverage their surprising speed and athleticism to aid survival and court mates. Their impressive velocity and agility seem perfectly adapted to their habitats.
So although they appear rather clumsy, wild turkeys are capable of awe-inspiring speed and athletic feats. Next time you see these birds casually strutting about, remember they can dash up to 25 mph on foot and 55 mph in flight when pressed! Their speed and agility remain key to thriving in the wild.
Running Is Their Best Defense
When a predator threatens a rafter of turkeys in the wild, the gobblers typically elect to flee on foot. Though they can fly, they’re not endurance athletes–they can only maintain their top flying speed for about 400 meters before returning to the ground.
They’re Approved To Run At Speed In Residential Zones
Wild turkeys can run as fast as 25 miles per hour (and can fly as fast as 55 mph). Since domesticated turkeys are bred to be heavier in weight (roughly double that of wild turkeys, which usually weigh between five and 20 pounds), they can’t run quite as fast–which doesn’t matter much, since they’re so rarely presented with reasons to run at all.
How Fast Can a Turkey Run
FAQ
How fast can a wild turkey go?
How fast can wild turkeys run when they are scared?
How fast can a turkey run in mph?
Can wild turkeys fly 55 mph?
How fast can a Turkey Run?
Turkeys can run surprisingly fast. Wild turkeys, according to numerous sources, can apparently reach 25 miles per hour in a sprint along the ground. There may be some rugged, free-range domesticated turkeys that can get off the ground. But generally, only wild turkeys can fly. How fast can turkeys run and how fast can turkeys fly?
How fast do wild turkeys fly?
6. Arboreal Wild turkeys sleep in trees. The birds are usually seen walking so many people are surprised they even fly. Though they only fly for short distances, they are speedy and can hit about 55 miles per hour when going full tilt.
Why do turkeys run faster?
Turkeys run quicker on level and hard grounds than on soft or uneven ground. Cooler temperature makes turkeys run quicker. Overheating slows turkeys. Turkeys sprint faster to avoid predators. Food and mating prospects may inspire turkeys to run faster. Turkeys are speedier when young and healthy. Turkey running speed depends on breed and heredity.
Are turkeys faster than humans?
Turkeys aren’t a species you’re likely to run away from. In fact, you’re much more likely to be pursuing them. But while wild turkeys may take their time walking around and foraging for food, both their land and air speeds are faster than a human’s. The average jog speed for a human is four to six mph.